Shangpa online

Completion of retreat

2011-06-22T11:37:00.000+08:00

Completion of Retreat
Time flies in a blink of an eye as experienced by all of us in our daily lives. Three years and three months ago, our Rinpoches and Lamas entered into a retreat at Ngedon Palbar Ling Retreat Centre (NPL Retreat Centre). Today, I witnessed its completion and we welcome them into the Jangchub Choeling Monastery (JC Monastery) in Pokhara, Nepal. Karma Kagyu retreat is well known for its strict discipline and profound practice under the guidance of qualified masters. This tradition has ongoing for more than a thousand years. Until today, the transmission of teaching and methods of practice are still very alive and thus the blessings are transmitted to whoever is sincerely engage in the practice.
NPL Retreat Centre is one of the Karma Kagyu’s traditional retreat centre established three and half years ago. It is located in the Sarangkot mountain of Pokhara. There were a total of 2 Rinpoches and 16 lamas who joined this retreat after the retreat centre was established. Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche was the retreat master and he empowered the Lamas with transmissions and lineage blessings. With proper instructions and under the watchful eye of the Rinpoches, the Lamas then practice most of the important Karma Kagyu teachings that include The Six Naropa's Yoga along with many high tantric deity yoga practices. They also very carefully trained in the meditation of Mahamudra at every stage of their practice. Within the period of three years and three months, the Rinpoches and Lamas practiced ever diligently and finally they completed their entire practice successfully.
The completion of the retreat and the returning of the Sangha back to the monastery celebration were a great joy and celebration for everyone. Dupsing Rinpoche led all the retreat lamas out from the retreat centre to JC monastery. Thousands of people lined the streets with flowers, khata and other offering items in their hands and warmly welcome them with cheers, smiles and awe. Everyone was over the moon with happiness and these were clearly reflected on their beaming faces. Some even shed tears of joy.
Upon entering into monastery, they made three prostrations and lamp offerings to the Triple Gem. They then mindfully took their seats. Dupsing Rinpoche and all the retreat Lamas made the Mandala offering of Body, Speech and Mind to Shangpa Rinpoche; followed by the longevity prayers for Shangpa Rinpoche. The secondly Mandala offering of Body, Speech and Mind was made to Dupsing Rinpoche by the Shangpa Rinpoche and the JC Monastery’s Sangha members.
Later, the Sangha performed a puja of sixteen Arahats and auspicious tea and butter rice were served. About 2,500 people attended this ceremony and everyone showered the Rinpoches and retreat Lamas with khata and offerings.
After lunch, the Lamas of the retreat centre and Sangha of JC Monastery gave heartfelt thanks to all the local and overseas sponsors and well wishers. Majority of the overseas sponsors are from Singapore.
Also thanks to the Gurung devotees who formed a small volunteer committee that constantly supplied drinking water to the retreat centre for the entire period of the retreat. Their efforts are greatly admirable and meritorious.
We deeply felt the people's devotions, loving attitude and great contribution towards Ngedon Palbar Ling Retreat Centre as well as Jangchub Choeling Monastery. We are grateful and ever appreciative of everyone’s care and assistance and we wish you good health, longevity and swift fulfillment of all your noble aspirations.

for the Kagyu Dharma Bulletin. Kuala Lumpur.

2011-06-07T16:47:00.002+08:00

1) What is the meaning of making 'kora' or doing a clockwise circumambulation of stupas, temples, mountains, lakes, etc. that is practised by Buddhists? From where and how does this culture originate and become a practice?

Shangpa Rinpoche:

Buddhist way of circumambulation to temple, stupa and even great person are considered as a meritorious act. It started from the Buddha’s time as a form of Buddhist practice. Most of the sutras and tantras mentioned that devotees circumambulate to lord Buddha three or seven times before kneeling on their right knees in front of the Buddha. It is a way of showing great respect and devotion to the Buddha. It is not clear whether such behaviour originated from the early Indian culture or was purely a Buddhist way. I tried to check from some Hindu texts such as Ramayan Mahabhatar or Shiva Puran but did not see such acts being recorded in these Hindu texts. So I guess it must have originated during the Buddha’s time. It is also likely that the Buddha himself introduced this action. This is because many sutras mentioned that the Buddha uttered how a meritorious person could make simple offering, prostration and circumambulation to the images of the Buddha.

Since then, Buddhist practitioners make kora to symbols of the Buddha Dharma as a method of purification of sins. Circumambulation in a clockwise direction is always in a form of respect in Indian culture as the right hand is facing the Buddha or stupa. The left hand is considered as ‘unclean’ for many auspicious activities. This is because in many cultures, the left hand is used for cleaning oneself. Thus, it is a form of great respect by going in a clockwise direction. Also, by placing the Buddha on the right side of your body signifies that the Dharma is your main or focal lifestyle. Moving forward can also mean the progress towards the path of enlightenment. Besides all these meanings, clockwise circumambulation could also aide in the clearing of wind, channel and bindu and thus help one to develop a clear mind and a physically fit body.

As a pilgrim, whilst circumambulating any holy sites and symbols, always think that the Buddha Dharma is on your right side and you imagine going around them clockwise. This will purify sins and accumulate a lot of merits.

2) Some dharma practitioners face life challenges such as being jobless and experiencing business downfall which affect their daily life as a practitioner. In this situation, which should come first? Dharma or business?

SR:

Firstly, you should try to understand what is Dharma or at least to understand the Dharma as a mental development and how to place the mind correctly with awareness and wisdom. With this understanding, one’s business or work will not be hindered and instead one will succeed greatly. It is said by the Buddha that the nature of all phenomena arises from the mind and so the mind is the primary and initiator of everything. If our mind is pure or clean from defilements, whether one talks or does anything, one will gain blissfulness. If our mind is pure and clear, then you will be able to perform every piece of work well and that includes your business, daily activities and handling of people.

If you think Dharma is merely going to a temple, sitting cross-legged, chanting and counting with a rosary, then that may affect your job or business sometimes. Good physical gestures should naturally arise from pure mental inspiration and in this way you can complete a good practice. Dharma should be the leading path for us and in showing the ultimate and relative Truth.

So in this way Dharma should come first amongst all activities and it can be the cause of every success too.

3) When one is being overwhelmed with great anger, it is extremely difficult to be aware and mindful of one's present actions. During these moments, how does one control the mind and stop oneself from creating negative thoughts and actions that are based on anger?

SR:

There is no formula that can be instantly applied with immediate and effortless results. Anger is part of our emotions. When anger overflows, it shows how strong and aggressive emotions can be. Sometimes, it is so strong that we are unable to stop it when it arises. So we must know that there is a root cause of all these emotions in our mind. Such root cause can be regarded as an obstruction to see the reality. That is ignorance and we need to apply wisdom to counteract.

For ordinary people, the gradual improvement of handling emotion is to first recognize the emotion and it's defects. Secondly, one should try to disperse it with the application of an antidote. Thirdly, knowing the nature of emotion as emptiness cuts off the root of emotion.

To do this, you need to explore the teachings of the Buddha and try to contemplate, meditate, as well as practice purification of sins and accumulation of merit.

4) What is the most effective method for ordinary practitioners to be constantly reminded to not commit the five poisons (desire, anger, ignorance, pride and jealousy) when we are living in this samsaric world?

SR:
Mindfulness is the most important key for all practitioners. Generally, we know that the five poisons are harmful. However, most of the time we are not aware that they have arisen and that the poison has already been transmitted to ourselves. Only when we experience the results of the poison, then we realized that it is too late. If we are constantly mindful of the arising of the poison, we won't embrace it but keep far away from it as such poisons are far more destructive than ordinary poison. So good practitioners always use awareness and mindfulness to guard against the defilements and with that, the chances of defilement disturbance are reduced and eventually it can be stopped.

5) Many people who lack knowledge in Vajrayana Buddhism seems to have false interpretations towards tantric images. What is the philosophy or significance of these images or symbols, (for example, the sexual union depiction of the 'yabyum')? How do we resolve others' misunderstanding towards Vajrayana Buddhism?

SR:

Such misunderstanding has arisen since the existence of these images. Vajrayana approach is rather different from others so when your mind is fixed on one method, it is natural that you cannot accept other ways that appear different from your beliefs. If the person is not set in his ways and try to explore and understand the truth, then such misunderstanding may not happen. Vajrayana uses emotion to disperse emotion, just like using poison to cure poisonous effect. That is the path shown by the Buddha in most tantric teachings. There are many symbolic objects that reflect emotions but when you dismantle the tie of attachment towards certain emotion, then that emotion may not sustain as emotion but rather a form of cognition and that is wisdom itself. So we should firstly understand what is emotion outwardly, followed by the nature of emotion inwardly, and finally establish the seal of non-attachment or great expanse of emptiness and then transform it into wisdom which ultimately results in enlightenment.

Vajrayana is a very individual practice and traditionally it is not exposed to everyone. Practitioners must have very clear minds to practise and understand the instructions given by the guru in order to succeed in their practice within a short time. Today, Vajrayana practice is very common and sometimes it sadly abused as a commercial purpose. So these days, it is rather difficult to check or see if a person is suitable for Vajrayana practise or how well one has practiced.

We may not be able to resolve the misunderstandings that people may have towards such yabyum Buddhist symbols. Even in early times, great masters like Nagarjuna and many other gurus such as the Buddha himself could not remove this misunderstanding from the people completely. We ourselves have not awakened totally from confusion and so how can we lead others onto the correct path of Vajrayana? There is a Tibetan saying that if the blind leads the blind, then at the end is a tumble or a fall. So the first and most important thing for us to do is to explore the teaching and apply it onto ourselves so that we may develop the ability to lead others to the right path.

REFLECTIONS OF MARATIKA

2011-01-07T23:07:00.002+08:00

6-17 December 2010 Meditation Retreat cum Pilgrimage to Guru Rinpoche & Mandarava Cave of Maratika, Nepal

As 6 Dec 2010 approached, groups of retreatants and pilgrims from different countries such as America, Europe (Germany, France, Denmark), Australia, Singapore and Malaysia gathered at Kagyu Institute of Buddist Studies (KIBS), Kirtipur, Nepal to attend a 7 days meditation retreat (6-12 December 2010). This retreat was led by Venerable Sang Sang Rinpoche, Ven. Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche in preparation of the subsequent pilgrimage (13-17 December 2010) to the sacred Maratika Cave of Guru Rinpoche and his consort Mandarava.

In the midst of the cold winter winds, we were giddy with excitement at arriving KIBS, many of whom have visited it repeatedly. After we placed our worldly possessions into the respective rooms, we dashed to greet our beloved guru Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche who had organized this immeasurably beneficial retreat and pilgrimage. Rinpoche received us with warm welcome and a broad smile. He was concerned whether we could withstand the winter chill. Everyday, he took upon himself to check on everyone’s well-being. We are very touched by his care and kindness.

At the invitation of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, Vens. Sang Sang Rinpoche and Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche accepted to give oral transmissions and teachings on the Practice of Guru Rinpoche’s Konchok Chidu Puja and Amitabha Practice. Despite their very tight teaching schedules, both Rinpoches out of great compassion, set aside time to give us these precious teachings. This was to prepare all of us to have a better understanding of the significance of the pilgrimage to Maratika Cave.

The ritual practice of Konchok Chidu, translated as 'The Union of all Jewels' / "Embodiment of the Three Jewels", is guru yoga a terma practice of Guru Padmasambhava discovered in the 17th century by the great terton, Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo (1585-1656) (also known as Letro Lingpa). It is a complete text which includes an outer, inner, secret and long life practice as well as an amending of samaya fire offering and feast practice (Ganachakra Tsog offering practice). Through the power of the Lama, in the form of Tsokye Dorje - a peaceful manifestation of Guru Rinpoche; the Yidam Guru Drakpo - a wrathful manifestation of Guru Rinpoche; and the Khandro Senge Dongma, it removes obstacles and harmful influences; creates positive circumstances for the environment and all beings; increases virtue; and clears away all ignorance.

Widely practiced by the practitioners of Kagyu and Nyingma lineages in the whole of Tibet and especially in western Tibet and the Himalayan region of Nepal, this text is renowned for its simplicity and profundity. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, in his previous life, spent 12 years in retreat and completed 12 times of the Konchok Chidu's four foundation practices.

It is said that amongst the 500 different termas of Tsewang (long life empowerment) that have been discovered throughout the centuries, the Tsewang of Konchok Chidu is said to be the main one that confers Guru Rinpoche's most profound blessings for long life and freedom from obstacles.

We were indeed extremely fortunate to have received such precious oral transmissions and teachings from Vens. Sang Sang Rinpoche, Sherab Gyalsten Rinpoche and Shangpa Rinpoche.

Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche also invited Ven. Shi Yuan Fan to join this retreat cum pilgrimage. Venerable Yuan Fan was born in 1957 to a very humble and traditional family. He came into contact with Buddhism at a very early age through the interesting Dharma talks shared with him by his father. While pursuing his engineering degree at the National University of Singapore, the calling came. In 1979, Venerable Yuan Fan joined the monastic order. The Venerable is an expert on Zen, Vajrayana and Pureland Practices. Ven. Yuan Fan gave a lucid and candid talk on the differences and similarities and also historical accounts of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. He also shared with us his years of arduous Zen training in Korea. We could not help but respect him further on his accomplishments. He gave a sound advice that “One can own many material things and yet not be attached to them.” Truly wise words indeed.

In between the teachings, the lamas and anis would guide us in torma making, setting up shrine and Mahakala puja. It was a great learning experience living the simple monastic life, away from the hustle and bustle of our routine city lives. As the days passed, we forgot the dates and relied on the gongs of classes and bells of meals to remind us of the time. Yes, we could not access our modern appliances easily. Internet, mobile and electricity is not as smooth as we expected. Nonetheless, we learnt to slow down our busy minds and start looking within.

Finally, the day that we embarked on the journey to Maratika Cave arrived. Some of us travelled by bus or jeep while others travelled by helicopter. The journey was tough due to the remoteness of the holy site. Prior to the pilgrimage, we were mentally prepared for the hardships so most of us took it in strides and happy tandem.

Located in the District of Khotang, Halesi, the caves of Maratika are mentioned in Tibetan literature from the 12th century onwards. Padmasambhava met Mandarava, daughter of the King of Zahor, who possessed all the marks of a dakini. The two of them set out for the caves called Maratika. There, Padmasambhava opened the mandala of the Buddha Amitayus, and after three months he received the vision of Buddha Amitayus. Buddha Amitayus then placed vases filled with nectar upon the heads of Padmasambhava and his consort, and as he poured some of it into their mouths, both obtained the siddhi of power over life.

Upon our arrival, we were warmly greeted by the local villagers with flowers and helping hands. We were extremely grateful for their assistance with our belongings, without which we might not be able to navigate the rocky and rough terrains of the hills to reach our accommodation. Our city legs were not meant for the irregular and numerous steps of Maratika. We had a glimpse of the cave’s entrance as we proceeded to the simple guest house. The sangha members stayed in the tiny local monastery while the pilgrims made home at the starkly furnished guest house. Some brave pilgrims chose to reside in tents on a recently harvested field.

After we have sorted out our residences, we had hot noodle soup that warmed and nourished our bodies. Like a fatherly figure, Ven, Shangpa Rinpoche personally checked on all of our well-being and gave instructions to his lamas and anis to take great care of us. As it was getting dark, we turned in for the night to rest our minds and bodies in preparation of the next morning’s journey to the holy caves.

Early next morning after breakfast, we headed for the first cave. As we entered the cave, we noted several Hindu friends doing their prayers and offerings. The caves are sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists alike. Within the cave are several ‘secret paths’ that many believed would purify defilements and obscurations and accumulate merits if one is able to navigate through them. Also within the cave are self-created images of Brahma, Indra, Hayagriva and Dorje Phagmo in union, and a rock of good fortune that grants the birth of sons and daughters and whatever one prays for. On the four directions are the four great kings; above are self-created umbrellas, victory banners, standards and canopies, and in the middle is a self-created prayer to the Guru written in the symbolic script of the dakinis. Inside the cave, above seven steps, is the self-created life vase used by Amitayus for bestowing the empowerment of immortality.

Is longevity really so important you may ask. It is essential for all dharma practitioners to engage upon longevity practices that are meant to restore vital energy that has been dissipated over time, resulting in illness, aging and death. They are employed in order to increase one’s own or others’ lifespan. With a healthy long life, we can fully accomplish the purpose of this and future lives, particularly in our spiritual pursuits. Thus, it is significant for dharma practitioners to do long life practises for oneself and for the benefit of many sentient beings.

The next cave that we trekked towards was the Cave of the Eight Means of Attainment. Inside is the naturally arisen stone of the flesh, blood and soul of liberating the female demons subdued by Guru Rinpoche. At the left of this cave’s entrance is a conch shell. It is said that just by hearing its sound, the evil states of cyclic existence are shattered. Five hundred arahats are said to have visited that place. Within this cave is the amrita or Guru’s blessed water. It is said that by putting that blessed water in the mouth, the five uninterrupted sins are purified. Guru’s footprint and the unobstructed sky door are also located in this cave.

In Maratika, there are the hills of Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani – where the complete and pure wisdom mandalas of the Three Family Lords are naturally present in their entirety. Manjushri is the embodiment of the wisdom aspect of all the Buddhas; Avalokiteshvara represents the essence of the wisdom speech and compassion of all the Buddhas; whilst Vajrapani represents the power of all the Buddhas.

The next day, we headed towards Garuda Cave which is believed to be a good place to go to for people with cancer. At the peak of the cave is a naturally arisen formation of Garuda’s head with its beak clearing visible to call.

We were inspired by the caves history and legends. On a daily basis, we would walk to the caves in the morning and early afternoon, and attend the pujas at the monastery in the later part of the day prior to night fall.

On one night, we had birthday celebrations of two dharma brothers. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche made a unique Tsampa birthday cake with assistance from his lamas and anis. A bon fire was lit and as we gathered around it, our hearts were warmed, joyful and in unity as fellow practitioners supporting each other throughout this sacred journey. After the birthday songs in a myriad of international languages from English, France, Malay, Tibetan, Chinese, etc, one of the French dharma sister sang an opera song as a gift to the two dharma brothers. It was very meaningful to celebrate birthdays in Maratika as this was the site where Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava attained immortality.

On the last night’s stay at Maratika, some dharma brothers and sisters wished to experience residing in the meditation cave of the Eight Means of Attainment. We packed our sleeping bags and bravely marched into the cave for the night. Amidst the individual pujas, it was peaceful ambience within the cave. We finally turned in for the last night within the holy cave.

The next morning, it was time for us to leave Maratika. We packed our bags in the early morning, had a simple breakfast and departed for KIBS, Kirtipur.

Once again, the villagers assisted us with our luggages and sent us off with the same smiles as we had arrived. Most of us concluded that the villagers are very simple and honest people who treated us with kindness and respect. Sure, there were kids asking for rupees and gifts and both stray and domestic animals such as dogs, goats, fowls, cows, pigs etc mingled amongst us. Most of the time, they let us be and were more curious on our activities than anything else. During our stay at Maratika, we also witnessed a wedding ceremony.

Before we left, each of us voluntarily dug into our pockets to raise funds for the local school and for cleaning up the caves. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche handed the donations to the local chief in the presence of the local community and police. They were grateful for our generosity whilst we were happy by our small deeds.

In batches, we finally arrived our ‘home sweet home’ KIBS. By now we felt it was a palace as compared to the remote and tough conditions of Maratika. As night falls, we had a simple celebration where everyone gathered after dinner in front of a bon fire. We had a fun lucky draw of presents kindly sponsored by all participants. Laughters roared as we took turns to pick our presents on a draw basis. As the celebration ended, with heavy footsteps, we returned to our rooms to rest. By this time, many close bonds had begun to form amongst the sangha members and pilgrims. This is reflected by the great care and concern that were showered upon each other on a daily basis.

The next morning, we headed to a local old folks’ home. Once again, we brought useful gifts such as groceries and donations to support the home. We were greeted by extremely kind-hearted Dilshova Shrestha who takes care of 36 elderlys and 30 children. Dilshova, 57, who was abandoned by her husband for not being able to give birth to a son, has managed the Old Age Management Social Welfare Trust for the last 13 years. Popularly known as Aamako Ghar (Mother’s Home), she established the trust all on her own. In 1997, she picked five women from the streets and brought them to her house at Ravi Bhawan. She vacated five rooms in her house that had been given on rent. After that, she gathered many such women who were discarded or divorced or raped or deceived by their loved ones. Some of the women that Dilshova picked were on the verge of death. Later, she also started taking care of street children. In the last 13 years, at least 80 women have been nursed by the kind-hearted Dilshova. Of them, she estimates, about 25 have passed away. She also performed their funeral rites. Taking a cursory look around the Trust, one gets a feel that Dilshova is looking after an 86-member happy family that is multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious.

Tears flowed and noses sniffed as we saw through their eyes, the tough conditions that both the elderlies and children had to endure before meeting Dilshova. We are truly fortunate in every sense. The French dharma sister sang “Amazing Grace” to the children whilst we handed over tokens of gifts. Before we left, we gave our good wishes, hugs and smiles.

Throughout our stay in KIBS, we also visited Boudanath, Swayambuth, Namo Buddha, Pharping, Thamel (shopping!) and Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche’s mother Ah Ma Yum. With head full of naturally black and long hair (only small amounts of white streaks could be seen), we could not believe she is already 82 years of age. In her hands were a mala and a prayer wheel that she constantly circulated and spun through her fingers. Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche explained that Ah Ma Yum resolved to complete 100 million times of the 6 syllables mantra “Om Mani Padme Hung”. For that, we truly salute her and pray that she swiftly fulfills her wishes. Like a doting grandmother, she urged us to drink tea and eat biscuits and we happily obliged. As it was getting dark, we bade farewell to Ah Ma Yum and headed back to our palace in time for another warm and sumptuous dinner.

Finally, the day to depart KIBS arrived. With heavy hearts, we bade farewell to our now close-knitted international family of sangha members and dharma brothers and sisters. We took each other’s contacts and encouraged one another to return to KIBS again next year for a ‘family’ reunion. Amongst the hugs and farewells, we were most grateful to Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche for his love, unwavering care, concern, patience and teachings to every single one of us. We were also grateful to Vens. Sang Sang Rinpoche, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Shi Yuan Fan, all lamas, anis and staff of the KIBS who showered us with kindness and great assistance. The sheer number of over 50 pilgrims was not easy for the organizers, especially at the remote but very sacred site of Maratika. Sure, there were discomforts here and there but in the end, we were proud to say that we overcame most of them. Now, we are more precocious of our fortunate living conditions of clean air, water, hot showers, warm beds and flushing toilets just to name a few! Again, with great care and concern, Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche called and sms the group to ensure that we have reached our countries safe and sound.

From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank you Shangpa Rinpochela. Thank you for fulfilling our dreams at Maratika. May Padma Sambhava continue to bestow his blessings of great health and longevity upon you. We pray that you will remain with us for a long time to turn the dharma wheel for the benefit of all sentient beings. May all your projects be swiftly fulfilled and may you be successful in all your spiritual endeavours!

******

The Legend of Muktinath

2010-10-07T22:03:00.001+08:00

Muktinath is both a Hindu and Buddhist holy place.

There are countless Kalpa before many Buddhas appeared and gave teachings. Amongst all the teachings, tantra is a profound method that integrates the right views of the middle path teachings of the Buddha, resulting in a possibility of faster purification and accumulation towards enlightenment. So, due to that reason, Buddha Shakyamuni introduced Tantric method to fortunate Bodhisattva disciples that todate we can practice and progress onto the path of enlightenment. According to the Buddha, Tantra existed in infinite time before. It is like an instrument that allows one to practice and benefit by achieving the results as soon as possible. Not only Buddhist applies Tantra, Hindu also applies tantric methods to achieve their goal accordingly to attain the state of Gods at their realms. Tantra is earlier than both Hinduism and Buddhism of this Kalpa. Today, certain similarities can be seen in terms of ritual style and many places are regarded to be holy by both Buddhists and H!
indus. This does not mean that Hindus and Buddhists share the same view.

It is simply a result of some similarities due to the nature of function. Just like in the manufacture of airplanes or a simple bicycle, there is need of factories to create wheels and screws as well as many other parts that require a certain device or machine to produce. Such machines can be similar because the nature of products is similar but that doesn’t mean they are the same. A machine for making an airplane wheel may be similar to a machine for making a bicycle wheel. However, the end products differ in its functions and capacity. They are different because the final products are for an airplane and a bicycle.

To Hindus, Muktinath is a holy place of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Hindus have their own version of the story behind this place which is not our subject to describe. The Buddhist’s explanation of the story of this place is actually not published in great details as to what I known.

7 to 8 years before, someone from Mustang brought an old scripture that he found inside a statue. He came to Pokhara and showed the scripture to me. I examined it and found that it is the explanation of the holy place of Muktinath. So I typed out the contents of the old scripture onto a notebook but did not translate it into English.

Base on that script, I am telling you the story of Muktinath.

Besides the story of Guru Rinpoche who came and blessed this place, leaving behind his footprints and many blessed substances, 84 saints found this place as a Chakrasamvara’s mandala and blessed this place before the arrival of Guru Rinpoche. The 84 saints felt that this place could benefit a lot of people in the future. They had supernatural powers and took the Ralpochen mountain from India with their hands and place the mountain in Muktinath to protect it from evil forces as well as to put a stop to the overflow of the poisonous lake which is behind this mountain. Otherwise, the evil forces may be disastrous for future generations. The saints therefore placed the mountain upon the lake.

After this, they visited Mount Kailash and circumambulated and bathed in Lake Manasarovar. Each of the saints brought some water from that lake and poured the water down at the newly installed mountain. This became the spring water even till the current day. The 84 saints had a vision that the mandalas of the 74 tantric deities are surrounded the mountains of Muktinath. The mandala of Vajrayogini and Hevajra in union form at the western side, Maitreya Buddha’s mandala is at the golden mountain at the eastern side. In between the black and white mountains are colorful mountains which are the mandala of the 21 Taras. In the south, is the yellow mountain, that is the mandala of Buddha Shakyamuni. There are so many mountains representing the mandalas of different deities.

The mountain where the spring water flows is called Sons of Jewel. In front of the flow of spring water, Guru Rinpoche did a ganacakra. While doing this, many dakinis from the mountains came and enjoyed the tshog offerings. All the dakinis present received the offerings and they were visible to everyone at that time. During the 84 saints’ time, they came and gave blessings and their realization increased. Through that realization, they developed bliss and danced. They left many footprints in the rocks. 20 footprints were hidden and only two are visible for everybody to see. Only the fortunate ones are able to see these footprints.

At a small structure in Muktinath, one can hear the flow of the river where the King Nanda and Takshaka made offerings to the mandala of deities. You can find this place on the way from the spring water to the temple of natural flame. One should circumambulate it and listen to the sound.

If you walk for a while, you can find a place where there is a flame burning from the water. The flame of fire arising from water is the bliss developed by the union of Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini, manifested as fire. This shows Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini’s presence. There is also a place where fire comes from the earth. The significance is similar and the two places are nearby each other. In earlier times, there was also a flame from a rock, which was a lamp offering to the mandalas. If one is fortunate, one will receive blessings of realization at that place.

Due to the blessings by the 84 saints, if one drinks from or bathes in the spring water, this would purify lots of one’s karma. Even if there is karma left, this would manifest lighter. The water can cure many sicknesses because of the aspirations and blessings of the 84 saints. In that area, one can see many old trees. It is said that the trees are the walking sticks left behind by the 84 saints, which miraculously developed into trees. Now there are 108 trees scattered around the holy place.

There is also a rock which we can circumambulate, on which is imprinted scorpion which is a symbol representing the wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, Guru Dragpo. If one walks further, there is a knee imprint of Guru Rinpoche which he made while making a wish that everyone has happiness. Somewhere around that area, there is a vajra-shaped stone which marks hidden treasures. There is another spring where the dakinis drink water. There is a naturally embossed Garuda somewhere in the vicinity. At a village below called Purang, is a rock with Buddha Shakyamuni’s footprint. If we walk further away, there is a stove-like stone with holes. This is said to be Guru Rinpoche’s cooking stove with the imprints of the utensils. These are the special places blessed by Guru Rinpoche and the 84 saints.

Whoever with full devotion meditates and does short recitations of mantra in front of the spring will be able to purify his/her karma and fulfill his/her aspirations and gain realization in his/her next life. Nearby the spring is a holy shrine which Hindus believe is the holy place of Lord Vishnu. Buddhists believe this is the place where Avalokiteshvara subdued the Nagas. Whoever prays there will have purification of sickness and unfavorable circumstances. This Avalokiteshvara statue is made by the king of a country called Zomla. It flew from Zomla to the current site. The Zumla king tried to find it and finally found the statue but it was too heavy to move. The king therefore left it behind and built a temple there. The people of Zomla came once a year to cry in front of the statue and ask why it had to fly there.

According to Tara’s prophecy, the 100 spring waters are the residence for Nagas and different types of spirits. It was also the palace of Chakrasamvara. If one tries to stay at least one day and practice there, one can purify lots of karma and achieve an irreversible stage of practice. If one practices diligently, one can gain the merits to achieve the state of the universal monarch. If one takes a bath in the spring water or drinks from the spring water, even the negative karma from committing the 5 heinous deeds can be purified. Pilgrims who visit it are thus protected from fears and sufferings and will not be born in places with famines and disasters. They will be born where there is wealth and prosperity.

圣地穆蒂纳

穆蒂纳是一个兴都教和佛教圣地。

在无量劫前，有很多佛出世并开示了佛法。在所有的教法中，密教是一个非常殊胜甚深的法门，它以佛陀所开示的中道为正见，造就了让行者能快速的净化和累积证悟资粮的可能性。因此之故，释迦牟尼佛为具福缘的菩萨弟子开示了密续的修法，让后世的我们在今天还可以修持并朝向证悟之道迈进。根据佛陀的开示，密续早在久远之前就已存在。它就像是一件工具，使人们得以实践和尽早从中受益而获取成果。不仅佛教运用密续的法门，兴都教也运用了密续的方法来实现其获得天神境界的目标。密续的存在比此劫的兴都教和佛教更加早。今天，我们可以在佛教和兴都教里看到一些相似的宗教仪式和许多认同的圣地。但这并不意味着兴都教徒和佛教徒持有相同的见解。

这仅仅只是因为它们的功能性质有一些相似之处而已。就如在制造飞机或一辆简单的脚车，工厂需要制造轮子，螺丝以及许多其它的部分，这些都需要一些设备或机器来生产。这些机器可以类似，因为该产品的性质类似，但并不代表它们是一样的。一个用于制造飞机轮子的机器设备，可能与制造脚车轮的机器设备类似。但是最终的所制造出来产品是不一样的，例如它们有不一样的功能。他们是不同的，因为出来的产品其中一样是飞机，而另一样则是脚车。

对兴都教徒而言，穆蒂纳是湿婆神和毗湿奴神的圣地。兴都教对这个地方所流传的故事不是我们所要讨论的主题。而据我所知，在佛教里并没有此圣地史迹的详细记载。

在七至八年前，有人从穆蒂纳带来了一本古老的经文。这是他在一尊塑像里找到的。他来到波卡拉并给我看此经文。我查阅后发现，它是穆蒂纳圣地的解说文。所以我将旧经文的内容输入在笔记电脑里，但并没有把它翻译成英文。

现在，我就根据此经文告诉你有关于穆蒂纳的史迹故事。

除了莲花生大士曾到过这圣地，以他的脚印加持这里及留下许多遗物的事迹之外。之前，八十位四位圣者发现这里既是胜乐金刚的曼陀罗（坛城）并加持了这地方。八十四位圣者觉得这个地方可在未来利益很多的人。他们都有神通力，他们用手从印度取走拉波千山（Ralpochen）并将此山放置在穆蒂纳以保护它回遮恶势力和制止在这山后毒湖的泛滥之流。否则，这邪恶的力量可能对后代造成灾害。因此，圣者们用山挡住了这毒湖。

之后，他们朝拜了卡列神山（Mount Kailash），绕行圣山和在马纳萨若瓦尔神湖（Manasarovar）沐浴。每位圣者都从湖泊中取了一些的水并将水倒入在新安置的山中，成为了泉水。这泉水直到现在还存在着。八十四圣者也观见了七十位本尊围绕着穆蒂纳山区。金刚亥母和喜金刚的双运坛城在西边；弥勒佛的坛城是在东侧的黄金山。在黑和白两山之间的彩山是廿一度母的坛城。在南部是黄色的山，它是释迦牟尼佛的坛城。这里有很多的山，都各别代表着不同本尊的坛城。

流出泉水的山称为“珍宝之子”。莲花生大士在泉水的前方做了荟供。在荟供进行时，很多山中的空行母都前来享用供品。到来的空行母都接受了供物，当时在场的每个人都能看见她们。在八十四位圣者的时期，他们来给加持和增上了证悟的境界。通过这证悟，他们生起大乐并起舞。他们在岩石上留下了许多脚印。当中的二十个脚印是隐藏的，只有两个脚印是每个人都能清晰见到的。只有具福缘的人才能够看到这些隐藏的脚印。

在穆蒂纳山中有一很小的建筑物，人们可以在这里听到龙王南达（King Nanda）和达夏卡（Takshaka）在向坛城本尊做供养的的河流水声。从泉水往自燃火焰庙的途中即可看到这座小建筑物。我们应当绕行它并聆听河流的声音。

如果你再往前走一会儿，便可看到一个水中自然生出火焰的地方。这从水中所产生的火焰是由于胜乐金刚和金刚瑜伽母的双运大乐所化现的火焰。这也表示胜乐金刚和金刚瑜伽母的存在。还有一个地方是火焰自然从土地生出来。其意义是一样的，这两个地方距离很进。在较早的时候，也有火焰从岩石自然出来，它是一盏供养给曼陀罗（坛城）的灯。如果是一个具有福报的人，就会在该处获得证悟的加持。

由于八十四圣者的加持，若饮用泉水或在泉水中洗澡，将净化自身很多的业障。即使还有剩余的业障，它也会变轻。因为八十四圣者的愿力和加持之故，此泉水能治愈许多疾病。在这里，我们可以看到很多古树。据说，这些树是由八十四圣者所留下的手仗所神变而化成的。现在有108颗树分布围绕着这圣地。

这里还有一块岩石，我们可绕行它。它的上面印有一只表征愤怒莲师（达波古如）的蝎子标帜，。如果在走远一点，有一个莲师的膝盖印。当莲师留下这膝盖印时，他发愿希望每个人都得到快乐幸福。在这一地区的某个地方，有一个金刚杵形的石头，标志着宝藏的所在地；另外还有一个空行母饮用的山泉；在附近的某个地方，有一个自然浮雕的金翅鹏鸟（Garuda）。在下方有一个称为普让（Purang）的村子，有一块印有释迦牟尼佛足印的岩石。如果我们走更远一些，有一个像炉灶般的有洞石头。它被认为莲师所用过的煮食炉灶，上面还有器具的浮印。这些都是莲师和八十四位圣者所加持过的特别地方。

任何具有信心者在泉水前静坐或念诵简短的心咒，亦能净化其业力和圆满愿望并在未来世获得证悟。在泉水的附近是一间圣庙，印度教徒认为那是他们的主神毗湿奴的圣地。而佛教徒则相信它是观世音菩萨降服龙王的地方。任何在这里做祈祷的人将净化所有的疾病和违缘。这尊观音菩萨的塑像是由一个称为忠拉（Zomla）国的国王所制造的。它从忠拉国飞越到现今的地点。忠拉的国王试图找回塑像，终于找到了塑像，但却因为太沉重而不能搬动它。因此，国王将它留在当地和在这里建起了庙宇。忠拉国的人民每年都会回来这里一趟并在塑像前哭问为什么它要飞到这里来。

根据度母的授记，这100个清泉是龙王和各不同类精灵的住所。它也是胜乐金刚的宫殿。若有人在那里留宿修行佛法至少一天的话，他可以净化很多的业障并获得修法上的不退转境界。而如果能精进的修持则可获得转轮圣王果位的善根。如果在泉水中沐浴或饮用清泉的水，就算是五无间罪的恶业也能净化。任何到此圣地的朝拜的朝圣者可获得免受恐惧和痛苦的护佑，不会投生在具有饥荒和灾难的地方。他们将出生在有具财富和富贵昌盛的地方。善哉！

Short notes on recitation of Tara Mantra.

2010-09-17T00:10:00.001+08:00

Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

In conclusion of the Pledge to Recite the Mantra of Mother Tara which started on 13 May 2010, we would like to thank and rejoice with all participants' contribution of their counts. The final count of the mantra recited is 224,452,300.

This recitation was dedicated and presented to Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche as a very special and meaningful birthday gift on 4 September 2010. It greatly warmed and touched his heart. The names of all the participants were placed in a container and the following are the lucky 21 participants randomly selected by Rinpoche. Please pick up your beautiful Tara pendant from sis Vicky. Thank you.

1)   PN-30        Tan Sheau Hui
2)   PN-41        Pik Sieng - KL
3)   PN-57        Ong Bee Choon
4)   PN-46        Ani Yeshe (KL)
5) PN-36       Ann Chong - KL
6) PN-42        Vivien Kok - KL
7)  PN-32         Nancy Tan
8)   PN-02        Soon Hua Boon
9)   PN 149      Polly Loong
10) PN-11        Judy Wong
11) PN-61         Fiona Yeo Hui Ing
12) PN-121       Caroline Puar Mee Joo
13) PN-120      Chua Keng Guan
14) PN-52         Soon Kum Ming
15) PN-08         Eddie Tan Inn Yong
16) PN-59         Foo Fong Leong
17) PN-138       Seah Kheok Thong
18) PN-18         Patrick Nog
19) PN-38        Hoo Yih Toong - KL
20) PN 69         Gan Boon Long
21) PN-62         Tan Eu-min Shaun

My Birthday Speech

2010-09-12T02:35:00.001+08:00

Good evening Rinpoche, Khenpo, Lamas, Honourable Guests and Devotees. It makes me very happy to see so many of you here tonight to join me in celebrating my 51st birthday. I would like to especially thank everyone for taking the time to attend this function.

Over the past few weeks, many of you, not just from Singapore, but people from various regions have sent me birthday greetings and long life wishes personally, or via email and phone. Many are here tonight to celebrate with me. Quite a number have also taken part in the retreat or recitation of Tara’s mantra. When I was touring Malaysia recently, each centre I visited organized a birthday celebration for me. Everyone present was so excited and celebrated so joyfully with me at each of these occasions. Words cannot express how touched I am. I am really overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and kindness. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every day, I wish you well and dedicate merits for your well-being and good health.

Many of you have known me since I first came to Singapore over 20 years ago at Shamar Rinpoche’s request. Since then, I have come to know many more of you. I would like to sincerely thank all of you for placing your faith and confidence in me and for tirelessly supporting my many missions and projects. Without your unfailing support and help in these works, I would not have been able to fulfill my various visions. Whatever success I have achieved is either directly or indirectly, due to your participation and assistance, and a result of our collective efforts.

Every year, from the beginning of September until my birthday, I receive numerous well-wishes and birthday greetings from all of you. I still recall one year when I was ill with dengue fever, many of you were concerned and sent your best wishes for my speedy recovery. Your thoughtfulness towards me warms my heart and reminds me constantly of my commitment and responsibility to develop the qualities necessary to liberate all sentient beings. Your kindness towards me encourages and inspires me to continue on my path to benefit all sentient beings by my daily thoughts and actions.

His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa had great aspirations for the centre in Singapore. He was convinced that it would develop into a very important focal point for the practice and propagation of Lord Buddha’s pure and profound teachings in the South East Asian region. He believed that the knowledge and practice of Karma Kagyu teachings would bring awareness, clarity, compassion, peace and equanimity to those who studied it, and ultimately benefit the community in which these individuals live.

As an expression of their faith in His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa’s great wish and vision for Karma Kagyu in Singapore, members and devotees have decided to set as their great goal the construction of a new and larger Karma Kagyu Centre, on its current site at Geylang. The new building will be able to accommodate many more people, cater to the increasing number of devotees and also members of the public who wish to learn the Buddha Dharma. It is the next logical step in our progressive efforts to fulfill His Holiness’s vision.

The fund raising project for the new Centre was launched in 2005. Efforts to raise money were difficult as the economy went through an uncertain time. Each of you has financial commitments. I understand that it is sometimes a challenge to juggle all your responsibilities and, on top of that, to focus on allocating a certain sum of funds for the propagation of the Dharma.

The Centre has decided to re-launch the fund raising project for the construction of a new Centre with a new team in charge. I have every confidence in this team and have no doubt that it has the skills and leadership to make the fund raising project a success. I hope all of you will try to contribute towards this meritorious endeavour. Together, we have accomplished a great deal. It is my great wish that we should continue to do so.

I am confident that with the whole-hearted support of each member, devotee and well-wisher, this project will be accomplished with great success. I also believe that the construction of a new building is a necessary development as part of Karma Kagyu’s intention to propagate the Buddha Dharma to as many people as possible. The new Centre will also, on top of continuing with teachings and practices, develop social welfare activities and programmes to benefit those in the community. I therefore, earnestly request all of you to support this noble project in whatever way you can, and urge you to be a part of this vision to develop, educate, propagate, and contribute to the society.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. As I mentioned at the beginning of my speech, every project that I undertake is only successful because of your encouragement and faith in me. Each of you has contributed in some way to make all my visions a reality. Nothing that I have achieved would be possible without you working together with me. You have never let me down. I am very grateful for your continuing support. I am always aware of your care and concern for my well-being and welfare. I will always remember and treasure your thoughtfulness and kindness. I would especially like to thank those who helped to organize the recent series of meaningful events such as the 3 days Tara retreat; the pledge from everyone on the recitation of the Tara mantra; the release of animals; and my birthday celebration tonight.

Wherever I am, I wish each of you success in every noble intention and action that you are undertaking. And every day, I say prayers for you and ask that you receive blessings from all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Through my sincere heart, with this aspiration, may we and all sentient beings attain enlightenment.

Thank you very much.

Karma Kagyud Buddhist Committee

Birthday Cake

Birthday celebration dinner.

"Moments of Voice Recording"

2010-09-03T22:51:00.005+08:00

On 2nd September, I visited the recording studio to record the chanting of Amitabha aspiration as scheduled. I was a little nervous at first because I was concerned whether I could chant nicely or not. During recording, I tried my best and eventually, I thought it is not important whether I chanted well or not as this is not a song for people to appreciate. Rather, it is an aspiration for everyone to attain to the land of bliss. So after I sorted out my way of thinking, I made a strong aspiration during the recording that whoever listens to this aspiration with full of devotion to Lord Amitabha, may they be connected to the Buddha Amitabha and the Land of bliss and may everyone be blessed by Lord Amitabha. I developed love and compassion to every sentient being and make the aspiration that very soon, all mother sentient beings be free from suffering and generate the cause of merits so that everyone after this life be born into the land of bliss.

In this way, I started to feel comfortable recording and also felt the joy of chanting. It was expected to finish within two days but amazingly, we managed to finish the recording within 3 hours.

I don't expect my chanting will be very fantastic but during the recording, I really made lots of good wishes and developed very positive thoughts towards everyone. I hope it will generate great amount of merits to whoever listens to it or show an interest just by listening to such a lousy voice of mine.

I think the sound engineer and input of music maybe of a very high standard because they are very professional people. For this chanting, I requested them to create a background sound of peaceful atmosphere that includes many nature sounds such as river flows, birds chirping, soft wind blowing, etc. I hope with such a zen background, the album is able to exude a harmonious, glorious and enlightening atmosphere that is most befitting the pureland paradise. So let’s see how the album will turn out...

Please be patient, do wait for a few more days and you all will know how it will look like.

Design of New Audio CD.

Celebrating the 51st Birthday of Our Beloved Guru Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche

2010-08-21T17:26:00.001+08:00

Venue: Chagzog Tamcho Centre, Date: 4/9/2010 Time: 7.30pm-10pm

Programme Highlights: Green Tara Initiation, Lamp Offerings, Long life Prayer and Grand Dedication

This year again, we are celebrating Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche’s birthday in order to express our deep gratitude towards his great kindness and compassion.

In conjunction with the celebrating events, many devotees had pledged to recite 100,000 times of Green Tara mantra. Through our collective practice and accumulation of merits, we will dedicate and present this very special and meaningful birthday gift to Rinpoche on 4/9/2010 which is filled with our love, care and thoughtfulness towards him.

In view of its great blessings and our close affinity with Shangpa Rinpoche and Mother Tara, we are organizing a Green Tara initiation to be conferred by Rinpoche during the event. A finely produced DVD that has vividly captured the wonderful life journey of Rinpoche will be distributed to all participants who had pledged and completed the recitation of Tara mantras. Rinpoche will also be presenting the 21 unique Tara pendants during the lucky dip draw.

In the past years, we had been making lamp offerings that were specially dedicated to Rinpoche’s longevity, good health and to fulfill his wishes in all Dharma activities. This year we will continue this tradition without fail. Luminous lotus lamps would be arranged beautifully in a large star shape with many lamps beside it. That is to symbolize that Rinpoche is like a resplendent star in the dark sky of samsara; constantly gazing upon all the sentient beings that are enveloped by darkness and unconditionally beaming his compassionate light rays to guide, protect and liberate them from the fear of darkness, Samsara.

Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche is indeed an authentic Guru and genuine practitioner who, in his heart and mind, always have compassionate thoughts of benefiting all mother sentient beings through the teachings of the Buddhas. He is like a shining guiding light in our life leading us out of the darkness of samsara; an exceedingly precious wish-fulfilling jewel, which is extremely rare to chance upon in our life.

Having the good karma of having such a wonderful Guru, an utmost precious and important person in our life, let’s come together to rejoice in and celebrate Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche’s birthday – a day that marks our heartfelt gratefulness. All are welcome!

Thank you!

Short Introduction to Lord Gampopa

2010-07-24T20:49:00.003+08:00

Lord Gampopa, one of the principle forefathers of Kagyudpa, is the foremost sun-like disciple of Jetsun Milarepa. He is admired and well known for his exceptional spiritual attainments, pure morality as well as his great blessings while taming sentient beings in this world.

He skillfully merged the two streams of teachings from Kadampa and Mahamudra into one. In addition, he also established the monastic system in the Kagyudpa lineage. Before that the practitioners of Mahamudra were mainly yogis.

One of his renowned disciples, Dusum Khyenpa, the 1st Karmapa, started the Kamtsang Kagyud, which is active and continues its flow of lineage till today. Another three eminent disciples of Gampopa, Barom Dharma Wangchuk, founded the Barom Kagyud; Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo established the Phagdru Kagyud and Shang Tsalpa Tsondru Drag set up the Tsalpa Kagyud. Subsequently, these four major Kagyud schools were further streamed into eight minor Kagyud schools by their disciples.

The entire profound enlightened activities of Lord Gampopa marked him as one of the most important lineage masters of Kagyudpa, particularly in the Karma Kagyud Lineage founded by the 1st Karmapa. Owing to the great kindness of Gampopa and all the compassionate lineage masters, the great blessings of Gampopa is ever present even in this day and age, as experienced by countless faithful Kagyudpa followers.

The Great Manifestation of the Compassionate Bodhisattvas
All the enlightened activities displayed by Lord Gampopa in his life time; which helped to mature and benefit countless of sentient beings are evidences that he is a great enlightened bodhisattva endowed with extraordinary supreme qualities.

According to the teachings, Lord Gampopa has been a Bodhisattva in countless lifetimes, serving hundred thousands of Buddhas in his previous lives. At the time of the third Buddha, he was the Bodhisattva named Beautiful Moon Flower and at the time of the Buddha Dipankara he manifested as Bodhisattva Lotus Guru and benefited immeasurable sentient beings.

He was also a disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni. His name then was the great bodhisattva known as The Youthful Moon-light. He was always peaceful, compassionate and devotedly followed the teachings of Buddha and performing the limitless great deeds of a bodhisattva for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Out of his compassion towards all sentient beings that are ignorant and helplessly shrouded with the darkness of this degeneration age, at the presence of Lord Buddha, he generated pure aspirations. He dedicated to uphold and spread the sun-like Mahayana teachings, to eliminate the great cloud of ignorance from all sentient beings and establish them in the state of absolute Dharmata.

Buddha Shakyamuni had also clearly prophesized the future coming of Gampopa in The White Lotus Compassion Sutra, The King of Meditative Concentration Sutra and his other teachings.

In The White Lotus Compassion Sutra, Buddha mentioned to Ananda, “Kun Ga Wo (Ananda) after I passed into Nirvana, in the future, a Bhikshu who has attended to many previous Buddhas; known as “The Physician” will appear at the river bank of the northern direction, After serving hundred thousands of Buddhas, he would developed the root virtue and pure enlightened mind and abides perfectly on the Mahayana path. He would benefit numerous sentient beings and establish them in the fruition of happiness. He is the holder of the Bodhisattva’s scriptures, praises and practices of the Mahayana path. He would teach the Mahayana teachings excellently.”

The Birthplace and His Layman-hood
The birthplace of Lord Gampopa was at the Serpa valley of Nyal in Tibet. His father, Nyiwa Gyalpo, was a descendant of the Nyiwa family. His mother’s name was Nyalsa. His parents had 3 sons and Lord Gampapo was their 2nd son. Lord Gampapo was born in the year of Earth Sheep (1079C.E.) and was named Dharma Drag.

He married a noble lady who was graced with all the admirable good qualities of the nobles when he was twenty-two. They lived in great happiness and had two adorable children, a son and a daughter.

He lived as a lay man till the age of 26. During this period he studied medicine from the great Tibetan physician Bizi, as well as from 30 other notable physicians. He also mastered the Eight Branches of Medical Science. At that point of time, the famous Tibetan Four Medical Root Text was yet to be completed. He treated many people and benefited them with his excellent knowledge of medicine. He also received many wholesome teachings from spiritual masters such as Sharawa and so forth.

A terrible plague, however completely changed his life. It took away the lives of both his young children within a few days. His wife also fell seriously sick subsequently. Gampopa tried all means of treatments to cure her but her illness worsened day by day. Due to her great attachment towards Gampopa, his wife desperately held onto her life despite enduring great torment. Out of compassion for her, Gampopa promised her that he would devote the rest of his life to the Dharma. That assurance appeased her mind and she peacefully took her last breath. She left a saddened lonely Gampopa, a husband and a father no more, at her bedside.

After the death of both his two young children and wife, the heart-broken Gompopa clearly perceived the dream-like and suffering nature of samsara. From this painful experience, he developed a deep certainty in true nature of the defective samsara. He renounced totally from this purposeless worldly life and resolved strongly to dedicate the rest of his life to Dharma practice.

He became a monk under Khenpo Loden Sherab of Mang Yu. Sherab Nyingpo of Shang Shung was the training master. From Jangchub Sempa of Yid De, who was also the disciple of Je Milarepa, he received the Bodhisattva vows and instructions on the secret teachings and sadhana practices. He was given the name Sonam Rinchen, which means Precious Merit.

He studied the Vinaya from the first two masters and received the Charkrasamvara practices from Khenpo Loden Sherab according to the Sangkar Tradition. He held onto all these teachings as preciously as if they were his own life.

By following the instructions of the great master Jangchub Sempa’s, he experienced the great taste of joys that arose from meditative absorption. He realized that all phenomenal are like the rainbow; a dispersal of sheer mist and attained the experience of bliss, joy and non-conceptual thought. He could abide in meditative absorption without any slightest movement for seven days, experiencing the equanimity of no difference between the day and night. After this, he was able to remain in meditative absorption for as long as thirteen days without any movement and attachment.

He later journeyed upwards to central Tibet. There he stayed with Geshe Nyurkrum and received and practiced the teachings of “The Gradual Path of Bodhicitta Practice” (Lam Rim), the essence of Kadampa Lineage for a period of nine months. Due to this, he was able to actualize and suffuse his mind stream with the precious relative bodhicitta. It is said that from then onwards, he was never for a single moment separated from the precious bodhicitta. He also received many teachings from Geshe Gyachak Riwa and Geshe Gya Yondak. It is said that he had a vivid vision of great protector, Lord Mahakala during his practice. It was during his stay at central Tibet that he studied and learned all the teachings of Lord Atisha, the father of the Kadampa Lineage.

He eventually came to realize the essential need for practice. Thereafter, he let out his farm to some villagers at his homeland and acquired his needs from there. He focused one pointedly on his practice at the temple called Sera Lhakhang. He practiced meditation and attained good results in meditative absorption. Many good signs that are described in the sutras on “the preceding the achievement of ten bumis” clearly appeared in his dreams.

Calling of Jetsun Milarepa - His Guru of Affinity
One spring day, after a practice session, Gampopa went for a walk and he chanced upon three beggars. One of them said, “Three of us don’t even have small merits. How wonderful it would be if we can have a full bowl of scrumptious food and vegetables without needing to look for it.” The second said, “if you want to make a wish, it would be better to wish to be like the King of Tsede rather than just have lots of food.” Then the third one said, “Even King Tsede cannot escape from death. When death approaches, not a single being can help us. If one wants to make an aspiration, one should aspire to be like Milarepa. He does not need clothes for his body, Dakinis offer food to him, he can soar up into the sky like a bird and for him there is no birth and no death. It would be so wonderful to be like that.” Upon saying these words, he uttered a long sigh and started to weep for a while. When Gampopa overheard these conversations, a strong devotion instantly arouse deep within him. He wanted very much and was determined to go to Milarepa’s place to meet him. He gave lots of food to the three beggars.

After that, he went back to seek the permissions of his lamas. He also made a lot of offerings and prayed to the Triple Gems that evening. That night he had a dream of himself blowing a long trumpet and its sound could be heard throughout the entire Zambuling. In his dream, there was also a huge drum. It was the biggest drum that could ever be found in central Tibet and it was dangling freely in the middle of sky without any support. When Gampopa beat this drum, it boom loudly and could be heard by many animals. A lady from Mon from amongst a thong of people, said to Gampopa, “For the benefit of all these people, you should beat this drum. However for the benefit of all the animals you should give them this milk.” Upon saying this, she gave Gampopa a Kapala cup filled with milk. Gompopa said to her, “This cup of milk may not be able to satisfy all the animals.” The lady replied “After you have drunk this milk, it would be enough for all the animals as well as all the sentient beings of the six realms. That should make you very famous in the future.”

In time, Gampopa journeyed to Milarepa’s place with the company of his friend Gongton. However, when they reached Gurmo, Gongton suffered from a sickness and had to stay back and could not proceed any further with Gampopa. Later on, Gampopa traveled with a merchant who was going to Tsang for business. When he arrived at the place of Dingri, he was seriously sick and almost died. He stayed there for seven days. During this period he would gazed at the direction of the snow mountain where Milrepa’s dwelled and supplicate to Milarepa devotedly. It was not long that the blessings of Milarepa responded to him and he recovered from the sickness speedily.

When he was about to arrive at his destination, he met a Repa (Yogi who wears cloth only) who came to welcome him. The Repa was overwhelmed with joy on meeting him and told him, “Lamala, please teach me your instruction quickly as Lama Jetsun Milarepa had gathered his disciples and proclaimed that there would come a monk from central Tibet who would benefit many sentient beings.”

When he arrived at Trashigang, an old lady told him that he would not be able to reach Milarepa’s place that day and he could rest in her house for a night. She invited Gampopa to her house and served him respectfully. She told Gampopa, “Yesterday I went to see Lama. Lama said that a monk from central Tibet would come and see him and whoever helps this monk to reach him or serves this monk well will no longer need to fear rebirth in the lower realms.” She further added, “I will ask my daughter to bring you to see Lama.”

Upon hearing this, Gampopa thought to himself, “Since Milarepa knew of my coming all along, I must be a fortunate one.” Pride arose in him and Milarepa was aware of it. For this reason, Milarepa did not see him immediately but summoned to see him after half a month later.

Receiving Teachings and Guidance from Jetsun Milarepa
At their first meeting, Milarepa was sitting on a huge boulder. Gampopa prostrated to him and offered him gold and tea. Milarepa said, “Gold and this old man does not match well and I do not have any teapot to boil this tea as well. All these offerings you may keep for the provision of your practice.” Then he asked, “What is you name?” Gampopa replied, “Sonam Rinchen”. Upon hearing this, Milarepa said three times, “Through the gathering of great accumulations merits arise; you are indeed precious to all sentient beings!”

Milarepa then passed a skull cup of wine to Gampopa, Gampopa who received and emptied the cup without leaving a single drop of wine. Witnessing this, Milarepa knew that Gampopa could receive and uphold his entire lineage. He was so happy that he sang a song to welcome Gampopa.

Milarepa then asked Gampopa, “What empowerments and teachings have you received?” Gampopa replied that he had received the empowerments of Guhyasamaja and Hevajra and Charkrasamvara as well as the great blessings of Dakmema from the Geshes of Maryul. He also told Milarepa that he could abide in meditative absorption without any movement for as long as thirteen days. Milarepa laughed loudly, “Haha!” Then he said, “All these are also good but these could only attain the fruition of the formless realm. You can’t get oil by pressing sand; you can only get oil through pressing a mustard seed. If you mediate on my Tummo and short AH now, by tomorrow this time, you will realize your true nature. Most of the Tibetans have evil minds. Due to this Atisha did not teach the Tantric teachings and so people never understood the teachings. Milarepa then gave Gampopa a initiation on the Deity Sindura with a support of a mirror and a red symbol of the mandala, based on that he transmitted all the essence of the empowerments and secret instructions of the oral transmission lineage to Gampopa

During his stay with the Jetsun, Gampopa also seek detailed instructions from the Jetsum to clarify the doubts he had regarding many practices. He practiced diligently according to the teachings and perfected the qualities of the channels, winds and bindu. He also realized with certainty the secret instructions of the Lama. Jetsun was extremely happy with Gampopa and gave many clear prophesizes on Gampopa’s vast beneficial activities in the future.

After that Jetsun instructed Gampopa to go to Gampo mountain for retreat. Before his departure, Jestum entrusted the entire empowerments, teachings and profound instructions to him and requested him to return by the 14th day of the horse month in the year of the hare.

Jetsun already knew that he will attain parinirvana that date and he hoped that he is able to meet his heart-son before that day. Gampopa however was not able to fulfill that hope and he was so sorrowful that he fainted. The Jetsum however, left his walking stick and a piece of his clothing to Gampopa.

After that, with the blessings and instructions of the Jetsun, Gampopa continued to practice diligently and completely attained the state of Mahamudra. He spent his whole life in retreat and teaching his students. He was able to skillfully combine the two practices and teachings of Mahamudra and Khadampa and benefit numberless fortunate students and sentient beings.

The Great Blessings of Gampopa
His blessings are extraordinary. As long as anyone sincerely pray or supplicate to him, he would definitely receive all his blessings and be able to actualize all his good aspirations.

Gampopa have said before: those who are now not able to be my close disciples do not need to feel sad. As long as they sincerely supplicate to me, their aspirations will be fulfilled. My blessings will enable their merits to arise naturally. You must remember this”

Gampopa composed many important texts, such as “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation”, “A Precious Garland of the Sublime Path ”, “The Four Dharma” and so forth. These texts are well-known. The teachings carry the essence of Gampopa practice and would benefit generations of people right into the future. Gampopa also said: "those in future generations, if they are sad for not being able to meet me, then please read my writing of “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation” and ”, “A Precious Garland of the Sublime Path”, there is no difference in seeing me in person and reading them."

.Lord Gampopa, the great master who is like the brilliant sun of that generation, displayed his parinirvana on the fifteen day of the six month of Water Bird year (1153C.E.), at the age of seventy-five, accompanied with many auspicious signs of enlightenment.
25th July 2010 is the 931th anneversery day of Lord Gampopa.

མེ་ཏོག་ཟླ་མཛེས་པདྨི་བླ་མ་ནི།

ཐུབ་པའི་སྤྱན་སྔར་ཟླ་འོད་གཞོན་ནུར་གྱུར།

གངས་རིའི་ཁྲོད་འདིར་དགེ་སློང་འཚོ་བྱེད་ཅེས།

རྒྱལ་བས་ལུང་བསྟན་ཁྱེད་ལ་ཕྱག་འཚལ་ལོ།།

ལྟ་སྤྱོད་སྒོམ་པའི་གཞུང་ལུགས་འོ་མའི་མཚོ།

མཁྱེན་པའི་ཡེ་ཤེས་མནྡྷརས་སྲུབ་པ།

རྒྱལ་བསྟན་གསལ་མཛད་མཉམ་མེད་སྒམ་པོ་པས།

བཀའ་ཕྱག་ཆུ་བོ་གཅིག་ཏུ་འདྲེས་པར་མཛད།།

Chokhor duchen

2010-07-16T14:57:00.004+08:00

ཆོས་འཁོར་དུས་ཆེན།

Yesterday was Chodkhor Duchen which means great day of turning the wheel of Dharma. After Buddha attained enlightenment he started giving teaching to fortunate disciples. The first sermon of Dharma teaching was conducted at Sarnath Varanasi. Subject of teaching is four noble truth and eight fold path.

15th day of 4th lunar month (Sagadawa) of tibetan calender was the time that Buddha attained enlightenment.
4th day of 6th lunar month of Tibetan calendar is Chokhor dawa which is turning the wheel of Dharma.

There are only 49 days in-between these two dates and according to the biography of Buddha, after attaining enlightenment Buddha spent seven weeks around Bodhgaya with different activities each week.

First week: Buddha meditated on Fire (Samadhi) by crossing leg in vajra posture.

Second week: awake from that Samadhi when two of gods came to greet Buddha for his attainment. So second week also did not move but remain in Samadhi.

Third week: Two merchants from Myanmar met Buddha, they offered honey and some food. At the same time, four guardian kings offer containers so that Buddha was able to accept their offerings.

Fourth week: Buddha went to the Naga place requested by King of Naga call Tangzung.

Fifth week: Under the Bohi tree, Buddha contemplate on the subject of 12 interdependent within a single seating.

Sixth week: Buddha thought the meaning that he had realised, no body was able to understand therefore he continued to remain in peace in the forest.

Seventh Week: After remaining in peace, Bhrama and Indra from heaven came to see Buddha and requested Buddha to turn the wheel of Dharma. Buddha’s first thought was to give teachings to his former teachers Ringfur and Lhagcho. They had requested Buddha to teach them should he attain realization. Unfortunately, they have already passed away. So he started to look for his 5 disciple who are at Varanasi and then Buddha went to Sarnath to turn the wheel of Dharma.

So, in this way Buddha had spent 49 days at Bodhgaya area after attaining of enlightenment. We celebrate Chodkhor Duchen on the 49th days after enlightenment. Base on normal circumstances, Buddha physically at gave teachings at Sarnath is not possible. In actual fact there is missing of travel time between Bodhgaya to Varanasi. journey from Bodhgaya to Varanasi by walk takes around 10 days.

what do you think?

It can't be wrong also because so many scholars and highly practioners also regards this day a special day and accumulate merits.

Actually the day Chodkhor Duchen is celebrated on the 4th which is the day where the heaven kings Bhrama and Indra visited Buddha and requested Buddha to turn the wheel of Dharma and Buddha accepted the request. This is the day that Buddha started his mission to teach the path of enlightenment.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

From The Kagyu Dharma 2010

2010-07-06T23:50:00.000+08:00

Interview with Shangpa Rinpoche
KKDSKL yearly Buletin Volume two. 2010

1. Many individuals have their personal point of view with regard to the Buddha Dharma. How do we recognize this as the right view?

There is no way we can judge or recognize the right view since every individual has a different view towards the Dharma. Dharma is the sublime teaching given by Lord Buddha during the thrice turning of the Dharma Wheel.

The subject of the first turning the wheel of Dharma is the Four Noble Truths, the second turning is the lack of characteristic, that is the Prajna Paramita related teachings and the third turning is fine distinction of relative truth and ultimate truth.

Thereafter, the great Masters of India created a proper system so that the essence of the Buddha’s teaching is sustained correctly and made more accessible to everyone.

Among the ocean like Indian Great Masters, there were six masters who played the role of system creator and propagator of the Dharma.

These six great masters are Nagarjuna and Arya Deva for Madyamika;

Asangha and Vasubandhu for Mind only School or Chitta matra and

Dignag and Chandra Kirti for Pramana or Buddhist logic.

Beside these six great personalities, there were two most supreme persons named Guna Prabha and Shakya Prabha for Vinaya.

These six masters are addressed as ornaments of the Buddha’s teachings mainly by Mahayana masters because they have illuminated Mahayana teachings to this world. The practice of Mahayana was conferred by the Buddha in different time and different places as well as to different beings. It was collected and compiled by these masters, especially Nagarjuna. As a result, the teaching became available to everyone and made easy to comprehend due to the inclusion of good commentaries.

Commonly there are three schools of Buddhism which we categorize as Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Each of them has its unique methods to overcome the defilements and confusion. It is like a patient’s medical condition that needs to follow different levels of treatment and diet in order for that person to not only recover completely but also to get stronger and healthier. Therefore, do not regard the Dharma as only one view and/or a single method. Rather, the dharma is all- encompassing and well-equipped to train an individual from the very basic level up to the state of enlightenment.

These different schools may appear to have some different views but each of these differences has a valid support from the Sutra and from logical reasoning. So the Dharma is actually not just a view but more importantly, it is a method for different individual with different capacities much like a staircase that leads to the summit.

An individual’s personal point of view of the Dharma may be peppered with confusion or emotions and they lack valid evidence or logical reasoning. We can’t recognize them as right view and neither should we deem them as wrong as we ourselves are still obstructed by ignorance and so, we are not in the position to decide what is right or wrong for others.

2 In recent times, there are numerous organizations claiming themselves as the “living Buddha or great masters”. For beginners who lack understanding on Buddhism, they may seek refuge in these organizations, resulting in misunderstandings and misinterpretation of the Buddha Dharma. In this situation, how can we help to guide them to the right path?

It is not really an organization that claims themselves as the living Buddha as the organization is not a person but rather a system. There are a number of cases where we have heard about some person claiming himself as a living Buddha and trying to promote himself through books, video and even on YouTube. Well, I regard this as unfortunate and it is not immediately rectifiable. It is said by one Tibetan scholar called Gedun Chophel that “Behind each hill, there is one community and each of that community has a different tradition. Each of this tradition has a number of learned and unwise people supporting that tradition”. I consider this as unfortunate because when one is not a realized person but claiming and promoting to be as such, this is a spiritual lie, i.e. “Micho Lamai Dzun” which means an ordinary human’s level claiming to be of superior spiritual attainment. Such a lie is one of the most serious forms of non-truths, especially if the person is a monk or nun as it breaks the vows of self-liberation that he or she has taken. Temporarily, that person may gain some reputation and even prosperity but at the same time, he destroys his entire accumulation of merits and plants the seed of downfall. His actions not only harm himself but also many others who follow him and as a result, they have no good future so it is really unfortunate.

But if people follow the right master, then their spiritual qualities will grow like a rising moon and they can develop every enlightened quality without much obstacle. This has been proven by our lineage master who followed their guru and gained all the enlightened qualities within a lifetime.

As an ordinary person, we can’t do much for people who are in the wrong path under the guidance of the wrong person and we feel pitiful for them. Nonetheless, we can make aspirations that they will soon realize and come onto the right path.

2. Some individuals who lack the proper understanding in Buddhism may misinterpret the Buddha Dharma. How do we resolve this ongoing matter?

The key is to learn the pure Dharma from a qualified teacher so that all these misinterpretations will diminish naturally because they do not have a stable foundation or base. Therefore, it is important that we involve ourselves in the activities of organized teachings, seminars and retreat sessions with the right teacher. If the teacher is running an organization, then the student should check if that organization concentrates on the training and education of pure dharma as the first and top priority. In the affirmative, misunderstandings towards dharma should not arise and/or would naturally be resolved.

3. There are many bogus monks who go around cheating the public by collecting donations. How should we treat them? Should we treat them with a compassionate mind, point out their wrong doings, or should we just ignore them?

It depends on the mindset of individuals on how they should be treating that kind of monk. There is no one simple rule for such a situation. For example, if that person has an unwavering devotion towards the Sangha and is not bothered if that monk is bogus or not, and wholeheartedly makes offering to accumulate merits, then he or she will receive the merits of offering to the Sangha completely.

Another person who realizes the monk as bogus and thinks that it is very bad for that monk, and without any hatred tries to educate the monk that his action is harmful for himself and others. Then such a sincere motivation is good and it can be a turning point for that person to reform from bad to good.

Yet another type of person whose mind is very simple and easily influenced should best avoid or ignore the issue. So it depends on what kind of person you are when handling such a situation. I think there is no one common method that everyone should follow.

4. Sangha’s have certain vows to abide to. If they have broken the vows when they are within or outside the monastery, what should we do?

Sangha’s vow maintenance or breakage is actually sangha communities’ concern and the abbot or discipline master will handle such cases. Within the community or monastery, if one breaks any of the four main vows, then he will be disrobed (change into layman’s clothing) and dispelled from the monastery. Though he is no longer part of the Sangha, he is still allowed to practise. Usually, lay people do not have the right to interfere with such matters as they are settled by the community or Monastery. However, if lay people witnessed the breaking of vows by a sangha and deemed it necessary to resolve the matter, then they should inform the Abbot of the sangha community or monastery which the vow-breaking sangha is from.

5. There are certain groups of practitioners who are very attached or superstitious in their beliefs in Buddha Dharma. How do we lead or guide them to the right path?

Firstly, one should know what is superstition and then check if the practice is indeed attached with superstition.

For the non-Buddhists or anyone who is not in association with any religion, they may view that all religious practices are superstitious. The vast religions have many different views of differentiating things from truths or superstitions. Even in Buddhism, we also have many different views to define what is the truth and what is superstition.

In the context of Mahayana and Vajrayana, there are two ways of identifying and categorizing the truths as relative and ultimate.

On the relative level, we believe there is an existence of spirits and gods that may have some impact on our lives. As a Buddhist, we do not see such impacts as superstitious but rather term it as a Karmic debt that is somehow associated with us in either a good way or a bad way. So we regard it as a need to pay back with right intention, love and compassion.

That does not mean that all things bad and/or good are controlled by spirits and gods and that we humans are totally dependent on them. It is wrong and superstitious to think that we need to please the spirits and gods by making constant offerings to them in order to live happily. That kind of person cannot be a genuine Buddhist practitioner. A true Buddhist very much relies on his own potential to create the causes of happiness and/or suffering and karmically experiences the effects accordingly.

Without one’s own creation of cause, there is no way one can get the result. No gods or spirits can give the result that you did not create the cause for. If you have created such a cause, then the result will inevitably manifest in time. It is impossible by mere pleasing or making offering to the spirits or worldly gods that make things happen. The manifestation of the result is due to the action that has a favorable condition to ripen the cause. Favorable conditions such as repaying a karmic debt helps to lighten the effect of experiencing unpleasant situations.

In ultimate truth, we do not regard conditions as truly existing but merely as our own conceptually manifested state of mind. It arises interdependently and if we know the nature of it, we might realize the true meaning of emptiness. Otherwise, we may in confusion create an attachment or aversion.

A Heartfelt Note of Thanks

2010-05-25T01:08:00.000+08:00

Dearest Dharma Brothers and Sisters,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every participant, from different countries, for your kind supportive response and great love towards Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche.

Within a short time of uploading our appeal, many pledges drifted into Rinpoche’s blog. It is so very inspiring and delightful to see Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche’s blog being flooded with the names of participants with the pledges to dedicate the merits of reciting a minimal of 100,000 times Mother Tara’s mantras towards Rinpoche’s well being.

All of us may have come from different countries or places, but we have one heart and one thought and that is to pray for the well being of our Guru. That thoughtful heartfelt pledge of good aspirations would not have been able to manifest if not for the wonderful quality of your pure devotion towards your Guru.

The birthday of Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche, is indeed a joyous day for all of us, as all the compassionate ones have granted us our aspirations, which we might have been prayed for, day and night, since many life times, or perhaps, as long as from the beginingless time.

“Everyone wished me longevity and to turn the wheel of dharma. But I feel that in life, we do not have much choice. Yet, aspirations are important. They work inevitably and eventually so I think they may have some effect and influence to our lives.”------Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche

(www://shangparinpoche.blogspot.com dated 3rd September 2009)

Likewise, through the collective devoted recitation of the mantra of the Mother of all Buddhas ( great Mother Tara) in these times, the vast merits accumulated would definitely reap the positive results of our prayers towards Rinpoche's longevity, good health and well being as well as the accomplishment of his noble activities for the benefit of all beings. In addition, this practice would also bring much blessings and benefit to oneself and all sentient beings.

Let’s us rejoice with those who have participated in this pledge and we encourage and welcome more dharma brothers and sisters to join us in this meaningful and meritorious act.

Therefore may all of us, the extremely fortunate ones who are being infused and tinted with the sweet fragrance of our humble Guru’s good qualities, with one heart and mind, in this auspicious occasion, recite the mantra of Mother Tara together with aspiration prayers for Rinpoche’s longevity. May his lotus feet be firm and may Rinpoche turn the wheel of profound Dharma ceaselessly. May Rinpoche also ceaselessly and compassionately showers his blessings upon us and guide us and all sentient beings, without exception, to the state of ultimate blissfulness – the perfect enlightenment!

Cheers!

Karmapa Khyenno!

Group of Rinpoche’s disciples.

Pledge to recite the Mantras of Mother Tara- Om Tare Tut Tare Ture Svaha

2010-05-13T01:43:00.056+08:00

Let’s unveil our heartfelt gratefulness and repay the kindness of our exceedingly compassionate Guru, Venerable Shangpa Tulku, by manifesting our good wishes in the form of prayers and mantras of the “Heroic Swift Liberator”, Mother Tara. Let the blessing-streams of the Mother Tara flow and reach out to him and constantly fill his heart, wherever he is, with the blissful nectar of the graceful one

Come, be one of us! We sincerely call each and every one of you, who has the close affinity with Rinpoche, to participate in pledging a minimum recitation of 100,000 times Mother Tara’s mantras. You are encouraged to pledge more than the minimal recitations of the mantra according to your wish and ability. Recitation can commence immediately upon the pledge. Please inform us your final counts of the mantras recited via Rinpoche’s blog on or before 1st September 2010 so that we may collate the final accumulated mantras. Kindly indicate your full name and the numbers of mantras recited via Rinpoche's blog at http://shangparinpoche.blogspot.com.

Through the collective merits of all Rinpoche’s close disciples, this is the most thoughtful and meaningful birthday present to him. Such a gift filled with immeasurable great love, care and thoughtfulness towards Rinpoche, will be dedicated to him on his birthday. It is a simple and most sincere way for us to repay his great kindness as well as to mark as the auspiciousness for Rinpoche's 52nd birthday. We wish that this present specially created with love will constantly inspire and warm Rinpoche’s heart throughout his entire life's journey. We pray and wish that Rinpoche will always be watched dearly and blessed by the graceful Mother Tara. May Rinpoche enjoy longevity, good health, and be happy always. May Rinpoche spontaneously and effortlessly fulfill all his dharma activities and wishes.

To conclude this special activity, each and every participant will receive a beautiful photograph of Mother Tara (taken from Rinpoche’s personal Thangka collections) with Rinpoche’s autograph and blessed by Rinpoche himself, as an appreciation token. On top of that, Rinpoche will present 21 unique Green Tara ’s pendants, blessed by Rinpoche himself as well, to 21 lucky participants from the pledging lists. The 21 participants will be randomly drawn by way of lucky dip.

Karmapa Khyenno!

Group of Rinpoche’s disciples

(on 01/09/2010 )
Pledge No. Name         Numbers of Mantras Pledged      Complete Counts Recieved.

PN-01         Timothy Tan                  200,000       200,000

PN-02          Soon Hua Boon            100,000       1,300,000

PN-03          Lai Pon                         100,000       500,000
PN-04          Lee Siew Ching             100,000      400,000

PN-05          Koa Boon Hui               100,000       100,000

PN-06          Tan Chor Hiong            100,000        100,000

PN-07         Joanna Koh Teng Teng 100,000        100,000

PN-08         Eddie Tan Inn Yong       100,000       100,000

PN-09          Metta Wong                  100,000       100,000

PN-10          Kelly Wong                   100,000      300,000

PN-11          Judy Wong                    100,000       400,000

PN-12         Susan Ong                     100,000       100,000

PN-13         Steven Yeo S C              100,000       500,000

PN-14         Vicky Lim                       100,000      400,000

PN-15         Grace Chock                   100,000     500,000

PN-16         Angelina Gan                  100,000     100,000

PN-17         Jack Koh Choon Hui       100,000      --------

PN-18        Patrick Nog                      100,000       --------

PN-19        Wong Ah Moy                  100,000       100,000

PN-20        Ng Lake Keng                  100,000        100,000

PN-21         Choo Qwee Lan              100,000           -------

PN-22        Brenda Chiang                  100,000       100,000

PN-23         Jenny Yang                      100,000       100,000

PN-24         Gilbert Sim                      100,000       100,000

PN-25         Joanna Yee                       100,000          ---

PN-26         Molly Wang                      100,000            --

PN-27         Foong Wai Ling                100,000       200,000

PN-28         Lai Sew Lien                     100,000        280,000

PN-29        Wendy Zhou Wenling         100,000         ---

PN-30        Tan Sheau Hui                    100,000        100,000

PN-31        Siew Qing                          100,000         100,000

PN-32        Nancy Tan                          100,000        100,000

PN-33        Wong Jin Kwee                  100,000         100,000

PN-34         Happy - KL                        100,000      100,000

PN-35        Elaine - KL,                         100,000       100,000

PN-36       Ann Chong - KL                  100,000      100,000

PN-37       Mrs Chan - KL                     100,000      160,000

PN-38       Hoo Yih Toong - KL            100,000            --

PN-39       Chia Chui Yuin                     100,000        100,000

PN-40       Ani Chang Kuan - KL           100,000            --

PN-41        Pik Sieng - KL,                     100,000            --

PN-42        Vivien Kok - KL                   100,000

PN-43         Senora Hoong                      100,000

PN-44         Ng Hwee Sze                        100,000

PN-45         Mrs Ang                               100,000

PN-46        Ani Yeshe (KL)                     100,000

PN-47         Lama Zotpa (KL)                  100,000

PN-48        Tan Kim Lian                        100,000        250,000

PN-49         Yew Siew Chun                    100,000       300,000

PN-50          Kenny Low                          100,000       100,000

PN-51          Jermit Drolma                       100,000      100,000

PN-52          Soon Kum Ming                   100,000       100,000

PN-53          Siah How Hin                        100,000       100,000

PN-54          Lama Tenrab                         100,000      500,000

PN-55         Su Gio Emmanuel                  100,000       100,000

PN-56          Tan Ching Yong                    100,000       100,000

PN-57          Ong Bee Choon                     100,000       100,000

PN-58          Tan Cheng Buan                    100,000       100,000

PN-59           Foo Fong Leong                   100,000        100,000

PN-60          Chang Man Leng                    100,000      100,000

PN-61          Fiona Yeo Hui Ing                 100,000      100,000

PN-62          Tan Eu-min Shaun                100,000     100,000

PN 63           Teo Lian Eng                        100,000

PN 64         Foo Yuet Peng KL                 100,000     100,000

PN 65           Lim Kok Cheng                    100,000     100,000

PN 66           Chee Seng                            100,000

PN 67          Chong Chooi Ling - KL        100,000      100,000

PN 68          Sally Han Siew Jong             100,000      100,000

PN 69          Gan Boon Long                    100,000

PN 70         Ong Kwee Hua                      100,000

PN 71         Lim Soo Teck                        100,000       139,800

PN 72         Lama Gelek - Nepal            100,000

PN 73         How Siew Choo                 100,000

PN 74         Low Eng Chow                  100,000

PN 75        Diane Goh                           100,000      100,000

PN 76         Kwang Wai Ming                100,000      1,000,000

PN 77         Chua Swee Meng                100,000

PN 78        Jessica Wong                       100,000

PN 79        Tan Peck Hoon                    100,000       100,000

PN 80        Jigme Ng                             100,000

PN 81       Yap Tien Seng                     100,000       100,000

PN 82        Marina Chow                      100,000       200,000

PN 83        Foo See Meng                     100,000

PN 84        Fredrick Yap                       100,000

PN 85        Daphne Lim                         100,000

PN 86        Chin Chai York                    100,000

PN 87        Lilian Tay Sai Heok              100,000

PN-88        Goretti                                 100,000      100,000

PN-89       Eddy Sim                               100,000      100,000

PN-90       Linda Cheng                          100,000

PN-91       Lynnette Tay                          100,000

PN-92      See Hock Thiam                     100,000

PN-93      Lim Tai Hui                            100,000

PN 94       Nelson Lee                             100,000     100,000

PN 95       Susan Lee                               100,000     100,000

PN 96       Patricia Koh                           100,000       100,000

PN 97       Annie Wong                          100,000       100,000

PN 98       Cleve Yeo                              100,000        100,000

PN-99       Ng Chin Poh                          100,000        100,000

PN-100     Erin Lee   from KL                 100,000       100,000

PN-101      Anna Ang from KL               100,000       100,000

PN-102     Lee Hui Moon from KL          100,000       100,000

PN-103     Tan Beng Cheng                     100,000       100,000

PN-104     Shirley Lim                             100,000       100,000

PN 105      Y V Cheng                             100.000       100,000

PN 106      Chia Yeow Lan                      100,000      100,000

PN-107     Eunice Cheung (London)        100,000       100,000

PN-108    Ong Han Soon                           100,000     100,000

PN-109    Chua Wah Cheng                       100,000    100,000

PN-110    Pow Chwee Ling                        100,000

PN-111    Nicole Loo                                   100,000

PN-112    Evelyn Wong                               100,000     100,000

PN-113    Margaret Choong                     100,000        1,000,000

PN-114    Margaret Leo                            100,000       100,000

PN-115    Cha Kiat                                   100,000

PN-116    Seah Kwee Lan Doris               100,000

PN-117    Mel Seow                                  100,000

PN-118     Tah Kwee Leng                        100,000

PN-119      Goh Choi Eng                          100,000

PN-120      Chua Keng Guan                    100,000

PN-121       Caroline Puar Mee Joo           100,000

PN-122        Sharon Ang                             100,000

PN-123       Chia Bee Eng                          100,000

PN-124        Bay Buay Keng                      100,000

PN-125        Amelia Choon                       100,000

PN-126        Liang Chen Mou                    100,000

PN-127        Tan Chiao Chuang                 100,000

PN-128        Tan Lai Kheng                       100,000

PN-129         Doreen Ng                            100,000

PN-130         Mary Lee Oi Han                   100,000

PN-131          Lim Tioh Seng (Sandy)        100,000

PN-132          Alex Wong                           100,000

PN-133          Jessica Wong                        100,000

PN-134          Eugene Teo                           100,000

PN-135         Sally Low Kim Choy             100,000         100,000

PN-136         Ong Lay Peng                        100,000         100,000

PN-137          Kunzang Dorje                     100,000          100,000

PN-138          Seah Kheok Thong              100,000           100,000

PN-139          Seah Ya Da Kennett             100,000           100,000

PN-140         Tah Kwee Hong                    100,000

PN-141         Hia Yeoh Chin                      100,000

PN-142         Shirly Tan Mui Geok            100,000

PN-143        Choo Ming Chait Ronnie       100,000         100,000

PN-144        Liew Dee Nyet Sally              100,000          100,000

PN 145         Loh Kwok Wah                    100,000

PN 146         Kelvin Ong                           100,000

PN 147        Regina Chia                           100,000

PN 148        Lim Jin Aun                           100,000

PN 149        Polly Loong                           100,000       150,000

PN 150       Doris Teong                           100,000

PN 151       Seah Lin Hong                      100,000

PN 152      Andrew (Yenyen’s cousin)    100,000

PN 153

Pilgrimage to Jomson and Muktinath (30th Sept 2009 – 12 th Oct 2009)

2010-04-10T00:39:00.002+08:00

This article is passed to me by one of devotees called ("Sun flower" as Nick name). Very inspiring to read so I uploead into my blog for readers. There are some photo which I can't able to upload here temporarily.

Walk your way back in the time, and into the inspiring spiritual journey of wonderful sacred sites, to meet the compassionate Guru Rinpoche and 1st Shangpa Rinpoche

Day 1 (30 Sept 2009) – Auspicious Arrival at Kathmandu

In the early morning, 12 fortunate ones overwhelmed with extreme joy and fervent devotion, set out our journey to Nepal to join Rinpoche for the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Jomson and Muktinath. This journey fulfilled our dreams of experiencing the wonderful blessings and indulging ourselves in the warm and compassionate love showered by two admirable great masters, Guru Rinpoche and 1st Shangpa Rinpoche.

After 5 hours of flight, the plane of Silk Airline finally touched down the land of Nepal on scheduled time. Two impatient yet excited souls, sis Swee Lee and me were elated to be on the very earth of Kathmandu. It was an auspicious onset as a pair of beautiful yellow butterflies were fluttering delightfully around us, as if they were welcoming us. What’s more, among the strange faces waiting eagerly outside the arrival gate, we spotted two beaming familiar faces, Lama Khenrupla and Ani Trulrimla. The sight of them simply warmed our hearts.

The Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies (KIBS).
However, the remaining 10 pilgrims who took the Thai Airline, were not as fortunate as we were. They experienced a delay of flight of nearly 2 hours. Nonetheless, we managed to meet each other, in the late afternoon of Nepal’s local time, in Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies (KIBS). KIBS, founded by the present Shangpa Tulku, is situated at the scenic and idyllic location in Kirtipur. Though signs of light tiredness appeared on their faces; it did not wear down the radiance of their inner joy and enthusiasm.

After a short rest, the group displayed the “shopping nature” of Singaporeans and we headed to a newly built shopping centre, with the guide of Anila. On our way, we were welcomed by a heavy downpour. The dusty and polluted air was instantly cleansed and refreshed by the rain, filling the atmosphere with a delight of freshness. Soon, a fascinating rainbow adorned the clear sky thus enhancing the auspiciousness of our trip. Everyone was so delighted with the auspicious signs.

So what's next? Bingo! You've guessed it. All of us left the shopping centre armed with loads of freshly purchased stuff. Typical Singaporean style, right?…haha…

As that day was the birthday of sis. Swee Lee, we quietly bought a birthday cake while on the way back. We held a surprise birthday party for her and she was so touched. We thoroughly enjoyed the food prepared by Hake, who was the cook tasked by Rinpoche to take care of our meals during our trip.

All of us could feel the great care of Rinpoche towards us. We were so grateful to him for all his compassionate and thoughtful arrangements in ensuring a nice and comfortable trip for us. And we could simply cast aside all our worries as we all knew that Rinpoche would take good care of us during the entire journey.

Teemed with lots of twinkle stars, the night sky of Kirtipur was amazingly tranquil and charming. So beautiful to behold and simply soothing one’s heart…

The golden dharma wheel stands graciously
on the roof-top of KIDS

Yeah, we felt extremely at ease as if all our worldly stuff seemed left behind in our homeland. As we needed to leave and continue our journey to Pokhara early next morning to meet Rinpoche, with the sweet feelings of joy in meeting our Guru again, we bade good night to each other and retired early.

Umm, the room was so neat and cozy, and the bed and blankets provided were so warmed and comfortable…..gave rise to a sense of at-home ambiance, though we are roofing under the night-sky, with countless Prayer flags (in KIBS) fluttering in the breeze.

Prayer flags (in KIBS) fluttering in the breeze.Day 2 (1st October 2009) –

While stepping out from my room for breakfast, I was instantly embraced by the chilly air mingling with coldness. However, the coolness was soon diverted away when approaching the doorstep of dinning area; delicious aroma of breakfast whiffed into my nose. Ani Tenzinla and Hake had already set out the lovely hot steaming breakfast waiting for us. It touched us so much as we know they need to wake up very early in order to get the breakfast done for such a big group of people. They really are so thoughtful and caring towards us. Needless to say, our taste buds and stomachs were fully satisfied with those hot steaming delicious food.

Shortly after our breakfast, Lama Khenrup, who is humble and kind in nature and always taking care of us with fatherly love, reminded us to pack and leave for Jangchub Choeling Monastery at Pokhara to meet Rinpoche.

Boarded onto the coach with one friendly Nepalese family, who are also Rinpoche’s faithful devotees, we hit the road of our long journey of nearly 6 hours to Pokhara.

Along the journey, most of us were stunned and fascinated by the natural views of valleys, fresh and lush green paddy fields; patches of lovely white cotton-wool clouds floating freely in the bright azure sky. Nepal is truly a blessed country abundant with not only sacred sites but also natural heritage and scenic wonders.

When approaching Pokhara, our breaths were nearly taken away by its wonderful close-up mountain views, pristine natures, deep gorges and waterfalls. It’s simply picturesque.

After about 6 hrs journey, we finally reached Pokhara. As we need to leave early next dawn, we took the opportunity to apply our permit to Mukthinath and Jomson when we passed by their permit office.

By the time we reached Jangchub Choeling Monastery, it was already in the late afternoon. Many of us seemed a bit worn down. However, the weariness was soon replaced by radiance of joy again when we met Rinpoche. We had tea with Rinpoche and he briefed us on the programme awaiting us that evening. We would visit Ah Mum Yum after tea and followed by visiting Old Folk Home shortly before dinner. We would also have a special experience to stay a night with Tibetan families, in the Tibetan camp, to understand the Tibetan life style.

Rinpoche also advised us that we had to be mentally prepared that the rocky journey from Pokhara to Jomson and Mukthinath by jeep would be quite a tough experience for us. However, it would be a promising wonderful adventure we had never experienced in our life before.

After the tea, we visited Ah Ma Yum. She was quietly chanting her mantra as usual. The arrival of the group into her small room seemed to disturb the peaceful ambiance. Despite the commotion we made, she was delightful to see us and received us warmly with all her cookies and drinks. As our schedule was quite tight, we could not stay longer to chat further with her. In our eyes, she is an exceedingly kind old mother full of good qualities.

And all of us shared the same feeling: how nice it would be if we could understand Tibetan Language and communicate with her. Perhaps, we have to put in more effort in learning the Tibetan language. Nonetheless, it was very warm and affectionate atmosphere when we were with Ah mum Yum.

As we departed from Ah Ma Yum house, one of the lamas directed us to the old folks' home. When we stepped in the home, many old fathers and mothers already came out from their rooms awaiting for Rinpoche’s arrival.

Their wrinkled faces were beaming beautifully like blossoming flowers, and their eyes gleamed when they saw Rinpoche and us. Besides offering meal with their favorite mo-mo, we also presented small tokens of gifts to each of the old folks to show our love and concerns.

Although, we couldn’t communicate with them, they showed clearly us with their delightful faces that they could feel our heartfelt love and concern towards each one of them. Umm, the air seemed filled with loving kindness and happiness…it was a beautifully touching yet joyous moment.

Yeah, we were simply so happy to see them happy….

We were reluctant to leave if not for the darkening sky.

We enjoyed an outdoor yummy dinner amidst the darkness (there was a black-out, temporal electricity shortage is common in Pokhara) with Rinpoche and the Nepalese family. And the darkness did not really “blanket” the merrily spirit of the group. Chattering started and the flow of topics seemed unending, not until we were reminded to pack and rest early for tomorrow's journey. And from the dinner conversations, we came to know that the father of the Nepalese family is the 'Video-man' who often helped Rinpoche in making the VCDs of Series of Vision Journeys.

Rinpoche arranged 2 pilgrims per room to “attach” to some Tibetan families. Some families have one room; others have two rooms to house us. Swee Lee and I were sent to this Tibetan family, a very good family. The father of the family had passed away and leaving behind his wife and their 5 children. One of his sons is the lama of Rinpoche and is presently in Kalingpong. Currently, the mother stays with one of her son and the rest is out of town to other countries. The mother and son are very pleasant, gentle and well-mannered. I over heard her little lovely grand-niece addressed her as Yeshe-ah-ma.

They have 2 rooms, so Swee Lee and I occupied one of them; the two sisters, Miao and Nicole stayed at the room opposite us. There is a clean square open space in between the 2 rooms, sort of small courtyard. In our room is a beautiful shrine room and it is their family shrine hall. The family frequently invites Rinpoche and Lamas to their shrine room for pujas. From the exceedingly neatness and magnificent arrangements of the shrine, we could feel their faithful hearts towards Triple Gems. What a devoted good family!

The mother, son and one of his lady friend and us sat and talked in the open space, under the sky filled with twinkling stars. The young man and his lady friend can speak English fluently. And they are so kind in trying to teach us some simple conversations in Tibetan.

The house is so neat and nice, even the wash room is as clean and as beautiful as a 5 star hotel’s wash room. Both of our rooms were very neat, cozy and warm. We felt as if we were staying in an exclusive 5+ Stars Hotel!

They are so hospitable and they provided us with the best of their service, as if we were their distinguished guests! It was a heart-warming experience staying with them.

This day was indeed a fruitful day for me and all others as well.

Day 3 ( 2st October 2009) – Venture to An Excited “Rock & Spring” Mountain Trip

The jeeps were already waiting in the darkness since early morning. Our hearts were beating fast as we were embarking on one of the most exciting parts of our Journey - the rocky and bumpy mountain tracks leading to our dream-land.

When we reached the foothill, the brightness of the sun already vanquished the fortress of darkness, the world seemed awake and alive with the tender breeze, fresh and cheerful air.

The road was getting more rocky and bumpy as the jeep brought us further on. Some of our group-mates started to feel uncomfortable with frequent jerks. Along our journey, our jeeps were nearly stuck in the mud and at another point, we needed to cross the shallow “river” full of gravels and stones, which the locals believed were caused by the strong waterfalls of the high mountains. And at some parts of the journey, there were narrow cliff paths which looked so scary to us. It was a tad nerve-wrecking and tense at all these “excited” parts. Not only did some of us find the journey a bit rigorous to withstand, even our driver, no doubt is very skillful, still needed to take short breaks whenever we managed to cross the difficult parts of the rocky mountain terrains.

Nevertheless, we had the most worthy returns of wondrous beauty of great mother-nature. There we saw arrays of picturesque magnificent mountains, clear blue sky speckled with gentle white clouds along the entire journey; villages perched peacefully on the high lands; eye-catching deep valleys veiled with the fresh greenery of paddy fields and steps; fascinating swirling waves and enchanting water sounds amidst the long wide river, caused by its forceful current rasping the rocks; stunning natural waterfalls, as well as blossoming wild flowers, in their best multi-hued and cheerful countenances.

Beautiful natural waterfalls On top of that, we sighted different species of colourful butterflies, fluttering and dancing gracefully in front of our jeeps as if they were welcoming and leading the way. They pleasantly surprised me and strike the strings of my heart, particularly a group of lovely yellow butterflies and many others fruitful experiences which we could never gain had we taken the domestic flight. I believe everyone in the group has his/her own wonderful experiences to share with you. Isn’t it a blessed and beautiful venture, despite its “rocky and springing” bumps? And we owed this to our beloved Guru Rinpoche and the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche.

Clear sights of pleasant vast deep gorges and majestic close mountains-views took away many of our cameras’ memories, when approaching our destination, Jomson.

Sooner when we reached the town of Marpha, lamas from Marpha Temple “grasped” and invited Rinpoche to their temple. Marpa Temple is under a good care of Venerable Gelong Maila who is a well respected Lama in this area. It is a very old Nyingmapa Temple with depictions of beautiful 100 Deities on its wall.

Our group made some offerings to the temple as gesture

of respect as well as accumulating merits for oneself and

all sentient beings.

We stayed one night at Om’s Home of Jomson, to prepare ourselves for the high altitude of Mukthinath.

Day 4 ( 3rd October 2009) –

Mukthina, an exceedingly blessed land, where great ones had footed on.

Muktinath

2010-04-07T00:06:00.001+08:00

Muktinath is both a Hindu and Buddhist holy place. There are countless Kalpa before many Buddhas appeared and gave teachings. Amongst all the teachings, tantra is simply a profound method that integrates the right views of the middle path teachings of the Buddha, resulting in a possibility of faster purification and accumulation towards enlightenment. So due to that reason, Buddha Shakyamuni introduced Tantric method to fortunate Bodhisattva disciples which today we can practice and progress onto the path of enlightenment. According to the Buddha, Tantra existed in infinite time before. It is like an instrument that allows one to practice and benefit by achieving the results as soon as possible. Not only Buddhist applies Tantra, Hindu also applies tantric methods to achieve their goal accordingly to attain the state of Gods at their realms.

Tantra is earlier than both Hinduism and Buddhism of this Kalpa. Today, certain similarities can be seen in terms of ritual style and many places are regarded to be holy by both Buddhists and Hindus. This does not mean that Hindus and Buddhists share the same view.

It is simply a result of some similarities due to the nature of function. Just like in the manufacture of airplanes or a simple bicycle, there is need of factories to create wheels and screws as well as many other parts that require a certain device or machine to produce. Such machines can be similar because the nature of products is similar but that doesn’t means they are same. A machine for making an airplane wheel may be similar to a machine for making a bicycle wheel. Though the end product is not the same such as its functions and capacity is not same. They are different because the product that comes out is an airplane whilst another is a bicycle.

To Hindus, Muktinath is a holy place of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Hindus have their own version of the story behind this place which not our subject to describe. The Buddhist explanation of the story of this place is actually not published in detail as to what I known.

7 to 8 years before, someone from Mustang brought an old scripture that he found inside a statue. He came to Pokhara and showed the scripture to me. I examined it and found that it is the explanation of the holy place of Muktinath. So I typed out the contents of the old scripture in notebook but did not translate it into English.

Base on that script, I am telling you the story of Muktinath.

Beside the story of Guru Rinpoche came to this place and blessed this place with his foot prints and many blessed substances remain here. Earlier, the 84 saints who found this place as a Chakrasamvara’s mandala and blessed this place. The 84 saints felt that this place could benefit a lot of people in the future. They had supernatural powers and took the Ralpochen mountain from India with their hands and place the mountain in Muktinath to protect it from evil forces as well as to put a stop to the overflow of the poisonous lake which is behind this mountain. Otherwise, the evil forces may be disastrous for future generations. The saints therefore placed the mountain upon the lake. After this, they visited Mount Kailash and circumambulated and bathed in Lake Manasarovar. Each of the saint brought some water from that lake and poured the water down at the newly installed mountain. This became the spring water even till the current day. The 84 saints had a vision that the mandalas of the 74 tantric deities are surrounding the mountains of Muktinath. The mandala of Vajrayogini and Hevajra in union form at the western side, Maitreya Buddha’s mandala is at the golden mountain at the eastern side. In between the black and white mountains are colorful mountains which are the mandala of the 21 Taras. In the south, is the yellow mountain that is the mandala of Buddha Shakyamuni. There are so many mountains representing the mandalas of different deities.

The mountain where the spring water flow is called Sons of Jewel. In front of the flow of spring water, Guru Rinpoche did a ganacakra. While doing this, many dakinis from the mountains came and enjoyed the tshog offerings. All the dakinis present received the offerings and they were visible to everyone at that time. During the 84 saints’ time, they came and gave blessings and their realization increased. Through that realization, they developed bliss and danced. They left many footprints in the rocks. 20 footprints were hidden and only two are visible for everybody to see. Only the fortunate ones are able to see these footprints. At a small structure in Muktinath, one can hear the flow of the river where the King Nanda and Takshaka made offerings to the mandala of deities. You can find this place on the way from the spring water to the temple of natural flame. One should circumambulate it and listen to the sound. If you walk for a while, you can find a place where there is a flame burning from the water. The flame of fire arising from water is the bliss developed by the union of Cakrasamvara and Vajrayogini, manifested as fire. This shows Cakrasamvara and Vajrayogini’s presence. There is also a place where fire comes from the earth. The significance is similar and the two places are nearby each other. In earlier times, there was also a flame from a rock, which was a lamp offering the mandalas. If one is fortunate, one will receive blessings of realization at that place.

Due to the blessings by the 84 saints, if one drinks from or bathes in the spring water, this would purify lots of one’s karma. Even if there is karma left, this would manifest lighter. The water can cure many sicknesses because of the aspirations and blessings of the 84 saints. In that area, one can see many old trees. It is said that the trees are where the 84 saints left their walking sticks which miraculously developed into trees. Now there are 108 trees scattered around the holy place.

There is also a rock which we can circumambulate, on which is an imprinted a scorpion which is a symbol representing the wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, Guru Dragpo. If one walks further, there is a knee imprint of Guru Rinpoche which he made while making a wish that everyone has happiness. Somewhere around that area, there is a vajra-shaped stone which marks hidden treasures. There is another spring where the dakinis drink water. There is a naturally embossed Garuda somewhere in the vicinity. At a village below called Purang, is a rock with Buddha Shakyamuni’s footprint. If we walk further away, there is a stove-like stone with holes. This is said to be Guru Rinpoche’s cooking stove with the imprints of the utensils. These are the special places blessed by Guru Rinpoche and the 84 saints.

Whoever with full devotion mediates and does short recitations of mantra in front of the spring will be able to purify his/her karma and fulfill his/her aspirations and gain realization in his/her next life. Nearby the spring is a holy shrine which Hindus believe is the holy place of Lord Vishnu. Buddhists believe this is the place where Avalokiteshvara subdued the Nagas. Whoever prays there will have purification of sickness and unfavorable circumstances. This Avalokiteshvara statue is made by the king of a country called Zomla. It flew from Zomla to the current site. The Zumla king tried to find it and finally found the statue but it was too heavy to move. The king therefore left it behind and built a temple there. The people of Zomla came once a year to cry in front of the statue and ask why it had to fly there.

According to Tara’s prophecy, the 100 spring waters are the residence for Nagas and different types of spirits. It was also the palace of Chakrasamvara. If one tries to stay at least one day and practice there, one can purify lots of karma and achieve an irreversible stage of practice. If one practices diligently, one can gain the merits to achieve the state of the universal monarch. If one takes a bath in the spring water or drinks from the spring water, even the negative karma from committing the 5 heinous deeds can be purified. Pilgrims who visit it are thus protected from fears and sufferings and will not be born in places with famines and disasters. They will be born where there is wealth and prosperity.

Pilgrimage & Holy Place

2010-03-25T13:13:00.001+08:00

The Purpose of Going On a Pilgrimage

As a Buddhist, we should perform wholesome actions and think wholesome and beneficial thoughts. One wholesome thought or action is to plan for and participate in a pilgrimage. Buddha Shakyamuni said that after he entered parinirvana, all the places he has visited to give teachings and performed special activities should be visited by followers. By visiting these places, Buddhists would gain inspiration for practice, remember the Buddha’s teachings and reflect upon their own practice.

In this relation, we should also visit the 4 main holy places of Buddha Shakyamuni - Lumbini (where Buddha was born), Sarnath (where Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma), and Kushinagar (where Buddha passed into Parinirvana). Likewise we should also visit Rajgiri (where Buddha gave the teachings on the Prajna Paramita) Vaishali and Shravasti where Buddha spent much of his time during the rains and gave many important teachings.

For a Vajrayana practitioner, there are 24 sacred places and many other holy places mentioned in many teachings of Tantras. These are connected to the outer (phenomena) and the inner (our own body with channels and bindu). By visiting these holy places and meditating there, we purify our defilements and correct our inner body’s channel, Bindu and energy wind. With that, we feel physically comfortable as well as have a clearer mind. For that reason, practitioners while in practicing occasionally should visit holy places to do meditation and practices.

Sacred sites such as Muktinath is also considered a tantric holy place, as taught by Guru Rinpoche and explained in various tantras. I will explain briefly on that later.

3 Type of Mentalities of Pilgrims:

In general, there are 3 categories of pilgrimages. 1st is when one feels bored with where one’s staying and wishes to refresh oneself by finding a special place to relax in or immerse in a different environment. One is like a tourist. Such an attitude does help whilst visiting the holy places that have blessings and special energy. Although you will feel joy when you are there, this is not the best type of pilgrimage.

The 2nd category is when one knows the Dharma and wants to clear one’s obstacles and believe that visiting holy places can clear one’s obstacles and increase one’s fortune. This type of pilgrimage is good but it aims for worldly happiness and that is beneficial for this life time only.

The last type is pilgrimage without worldly attachment, to simply visit to the holy places to be inspired, and to follow the ways of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. As such, every step of the pilgrimage is like a step progressing onto the path of enlightenment. You visit holy places to pay homage, make offerings and confession, rejoice and request for blessings on behalf of all mother sentient beings. Your inspiration to attain enlightenment will increase, as well as your love and compassion to sentient beings will grow significantly.

Even though the 1st and 2nd categories are not the best, nonetheless the pilgrimage will be meaningful to us. If you take an arduous journey without knowing the meaning of going on a pilgrimage, only to see a few rocks or a pool of water at the end, you may feel frustrated. But if you have the right purpose and know the meaning of making a pilgrimage, you know that it represents the quality of enlightenment that is already there for us to realize.

Pilgrimage taking as a path of practice means that it is also a great purification of our Karma. Every hardship or discomfort during pilgrimage is actually a method to nullify our Karmic cause of sufferings. So it purifies Karma or sins that we have accumulated. At the same time it also allows the accumulation of merits by us making offerings, paying homage and developing the devotions that arouse the enlighten qualities such as wisdom.

Part two I will write about the Holy Place of Muktinath.

All about time

2010-03-15T23:03:00.001+08:00

Dear Reader,

When I was little boy, I used to dream how nice it would be if I am older and taller just so I could reach the heights of the windows and see what was happening beyond the windows. I also wondered what was going on beyond the walls when adults peered over the walls. I wished to see what they had seen. And when adults talked amongst themselves, I would linger to listen to their conversations but was often chased away with the reasoning that I was too young to participate and would not be able to understand the topics. Now that I am an adult, looking back, the reminiscence of being a kid is wonderful. This is a real human nature that is not perceived today as something wonderful and full of opportunities. We tend to look for wonders and great opportunities that is in the future. We do not see today as ‘great’, rather we view it with so much stress and confusion. Actually if we make careful examinations, we will see that today is the most wonderful day. Today, I am still alive and I can do as I like. Yesterday is already gone which can’t come back and tomorrow is unknown to us, whether we will survive another day or not, whatever situations we may go through tomorrow are not known.

So today I am living and experiencing every opportunity that comes my way. We need to think positively and grab the moment for full use of good cause.

Time is precious - most of us know that. But we do not know the management of time. Often we don’t do it correctly or we always think we will do it tomorrow. Tomorrow is a non-ending process of our life. A Tibetan master said “We do not know whether tomorrow or next rebirth will come first. So don’t always strive for tomorrow but work for next rebirth.” If we don’t manage our time for best usage, then unexpectedly one day on the death bed, our last breath will definitely come. At that moment, we do not have time to do anything. It’s too late and we will have no opportunity to prepare for next rebirth. If we manage our time for good use and appreciate what we are today, then we will always be happy. Also it makes us work harder and more productive towards the spiritual goal. Every moment is an opportunity because every moment we have the ability to think positively, speak positively, and act positively as well. So all this positive thoughts, speech and actions are accumulation of positive energy or in the dharma term, the accumulation of merits. Every thought, speech and action will be imprinted onto our minds and that affects our future or rebirth. Thus, one of the main practice is atuning our body, vocal and mind into positive actions, speech and thinking.

Time is our asset for every achievements and success, time is the most precious because it is the source of our happiness. In this world, we see many successful people. Some are successful in spiritually while others are successfully materially. If we examine their backgrounds, we can clearly see that they have managed their time properly and efficiently. They did not misuse any single moment, they did not misuse time. That is one of the secrets of their successes. Similarly, we can also achieve what we have aimed for as long as we do not misuse our time and fully utilize it well.

Toy Truck

2010-03-06T17:10:00.003+08:00

When I was young I was very playful and I was fascinated with machines, especially airplanes and moving vehicles. I wish to have toy cars and planes to play with. On hindsight, if I did own a toy car during my childhood, I believe my happiness can be greater than owning an actual car today.

I remembered the very first toy truck that was given to me by my teacher. Actually, my teacher gave me a few rupees to buy food from the market but I did not eat anything. I added a few more rupees from my savings I managed to buy a toy truck. To me, it seemed like a real truck but it is simply a toy without engine and I had to tie a string to it in order to pull it. I would put some stones and sand onto the toy truck and several kids would follow me everywhere I went with the truck. During my studies, I simply recited the text loudly only so that my teacher would believe that I am indeed studying but in actual truth, I am thinking of how to play with the toy, where to play and with whom I should play with etc!

During those days, I was so happy and my friend kids also shared the joy I have. That kind of joy doesn’t need abundance of wealth and in fact, wealth and money is not the actual cause of such happiness. You only need the simplicity of a child to order to be happy. If you want to be free from stress, simply recall your childhood’s way of life. That doesn’t mean you should think and act like a child. Rather, learn from the child-like simplicity.

Most of our problems can be a passage toward success by overcoming them and therefore, we should not be emotionally tied up to them. Today, it seems many of us are not happy due to constant thinking about problems and yet not readily moving towards the solutions. This results in making the problem appearing more serious and we develop fear and insecurity. If we just view the problem as a technical matter that needs to be fixed using our wisdom and effort, then it may not bother our minds as much. For example when I am ill, I take it as my physical balancing system is out of order and it needs to be fixed. So I promptly see the best doctor available and take the prescribed medicine regularly without thinking ‘how come I fall sick’ and ‘will I die’ or ‘will some one will look down upon me’ or ‘I will be less capable than others’ or ‘will this treatment use up all my savings and make me poorer’ etc. This kind of emotional thoughts makes the matter worse and eventually both the physical and mental systems fall ill and become imbalanced. So really there is no benefit of thinking in such ways. Problems are meant to be fixed. If it can be fixed or otherwise, just take it as part of our path. Even the death route that we all have to take is a path. This eventual death cannot be fixed at last the stage of our lives. But preparation to make death and rebirth more meaningful is a wise act and that gives us more satisfaction of life rather than constant reiteration of what may happen after death or how much suffering death can be.

Life is not just meant to earn more money or catch up with materially successful people. Rather, life should be lived meaningfully without strong influence from material wealth. It is our way of thinking that makes our lives different. Simplicity with a compassionate heart is essential for a meaningful life and that is also the source of happiness for oneself and for others.

I wish everyone can develop such qualities of life and with that we practice Dharma to attain enlightenment for all sentient beings.

Both photo of these flowers are taken during Yolmo visit recently.

Events of annivesary

2010-03-05T00:33:00.000+08:00

Often, I meet many people especially in the first few days upon returning to Singapore. During the meetings, I listen to what they wish to share. There are so many people who visited me hoping that I may be able to provide some good advice so that they feel more comfortable and relieved from the stressful life. Very often, I can’t help much and I can only fulfill some but not all of their expectations. I have no special talents to make them feel comfortable. Nonetheless, I share several pieces of advice from Buddhist’s teachings and give my best wishes that come from a genuine heart filled with love and compassion.

I feel every single one of us without exception (including myself) is significant, so I must try my best to do whatever that is within my capacity to help. To help others, one doesn’t need any form of acknowledgement and/or get something in return. All of us are somehow connected with similar karmic forces. That is why we are all born as human beings and we get to know each other as a friend or an enemy. Due to cause and effect, somehow my happiness and sadness can be dependent on you and vice versa. So we are just being together playing our roles but that role makes us close and in proximity. Therefore whoever comes into contact with me, I feel we have karmic connections and to a certain extent, we are dependent upon each other and so I must do my best to assist them.

We have just completed Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centre’s grand programme of celebrating Milarepa and Marpa’s anniversaries. It was really an inspiring event for every one of us. I have been contemplating how wonderful it is if every Kagyu Centre celebrate these great masters’ anniversaries in a grand scale as a form of gratitude towards our lineage source. Because of them, today we enjoy the teachings of this wonderful lineage. By such celebrations, we get closer to the our lineage masters by exploring their lives and examples which can be transmitted to our mind streams so that many devotional related qualities would establish without much effort. This is the so-called blessings from lineage forefathers that are transmitted to fortunate disciples.

So a guru doesn’t need to be physically present in a human body for the realization of a great practitioner. Nevertheless, we do need a physical human guru to guide us when we are at the very beginning stage. The entire Mila and Marpa’s life styles can be a source of great guru to us. If we can apply some of their qualities in our lives, we will certainly eliminate many of our faults. This can be considered as blessings and guidance from our lineage master.

The celebration of the two gurus’ anniversaries was well received by the participants and everyone felt our lineage gurus are a source of blessings and wisdom that lead us to the enlightened path.

Annual Grand Mahakala Puja at Jangchub Choeling Monastery

2010-02-13T00:45:00.002+08:00

These days, our Sangha of Jangchub Choeling Monastery is busy with the annual grand Mahakala Puja. Tonight, we just finished the 6^th day and tomorrow will be last day of the Mahakala Puja. Usually, we have Lama dances on the last day but this year we are not performing Lama dance but the throwing of Torma and fire Puja will continue. There are around 90 Lama in the puja and some are busy preparing the Torma and serving tea and meals to the monks so altogether, there are about 105 Lama involve in this grand event. The whole event goes very nicely and we all sincerely pay homage, make offerings, confess to Mahakala and whole assembly takes refuge and make many noble wishes for everyone. Every single one of us feels the joyful moment of being together in harmony and our senior Lamas make offerings to the Sangha as well.

This year Tseyang Rinpoche takes the role of a Vajra Master of this Puja and he plays his role superbly. He completed a retreat two years ago and has gained good experience for such a responsibility.

After the grand Mahakala puja, Tibetan New Year is approaching soon and we usually welcome and celebrate Losar for three days and thereafter, life goes back to normal. I do not have much time to write as I am engaged with puja daily and have little time for rest so I can’t think of writing any interesting article. Now I am writing because I did not manage to craft something out for a while.

I wish to thank all the people who have participated and contributed towards the grand Mahakala Puja at Jangchub Choeling Monastery. Because of this participation and contribution, we manage to do these puja very well and therefore I and the entire group of lama wishes every one of you happiness, good health and prosperity for the coming year and many happy returns.

Shangpa R

On the way to Nepal

2010-02-03T20:37:00.004+08:00

Currently, I am on a Silkair flight to Kathmandu and it is a smooth journey thus far. Yesterday, I wrote a short article after several months of silence so I wasn’t really fluent in writing but just simply updated or fed the blog. Today, it seems quite relaxing in the plane so I feel like sharing some thoughts here.

In a short while, I will be in Kathmandu and I will meet my mother as well as Lamas. I am eager to see them as I know they are also excited to see me too as usual.

Our annual event of Mahakala Puja is now just two days away and all the monks in the monastery are busy with lots of work in preparation for this Puja and festival. This event is kind of a big festival to us and the entire monastery becomes very lively during this period.

What is Mahakala Puja you may ask? This is actually a big subject and it can be explained in many ways. I will however just give a brief introduction. In general, to practice Buddhism, we take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and for the Vajrayana practitioners, we need to add another three sources or roots of refuge that also play similar roles of the Triple Gem but on a more close or personal basis for the practitioners’ development. The three additional roots are Guru, Yidam and Protector.

The root source of Blessing is the Lama or Guru, The root source of realization is the Yidam and root source of activities are the Dharma Protectors. These three sources or roots are based on the quality that is similar to the Triple Gem. For instance, the Buddha is no different from the Guru in terms of teaching and in showing the path to a practitioner. Likewise, the Yidam is no different from the Dharma as it also plays a role of path based on the progressive stages of practitioner. With that, one realizes the enlightenment without hindrance. Protectors are no different from the Sangha as they serve to protect the practitioners from worldly fears and obstructions towards the path of enlightenment.

So in order for a person to attain enlightenment, he/she first develops the thought of enlightened attitude and thereafter takes refuge in the enlightened one, i.e. the Buddha. At the same time, the practitioner follows the Guru who has similar qualities of the Buddha and who plays the role similarly such as in teaching and in correcting us. Secondly, we as the practitioner follow the teachings closely and integrate the teachings into our lifestyle so that the Dharma and oneself become inseparable. These can be effectively practiced with symbolic aspect of Yidam’s method in transforming our emotional defilements to the realization of the true nature, i.e. emptiness and clarity. The Sangha plays a role of protection and guidance in the general wellbeing of the practitioners as well as in clearing the obstacles to the path of enlightenment. According to the Vajrayana, infinite compassion of the Buddha manifests in various forms in order to guide us towards the profound path and in subduing the obscuration along the path of enlightenment.

So to a practitioner of Vajrayana, the Guru, Yidam and protector are as important as the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and one relies upon them in order to attain enlightenment.

Therefore we have in our monastery, many events in commemorating the anniversary of Guru and dedicated special days of the months for special Yidam practices and monthly and annual Mahakala Puja for the well being of every one, especially for practitioners to overcome all the outer and inner hindrances on the path of enlightenment. Many people participate in such events of Mahakala Puja with their names included for the dedication of merits. For that, all our Sangha will do the puja and make a dedication to everyone, in particular for the participants to fulfill all their noble wishes.

Now Lunar New Year is also approaching and I wish every one a happy Tibetan and Chinese New year. May you be happy, healthy and prosperous. The wealth of Dharma makes you filled with abundance and prosperity and may your body, speech and mind be free from obstacles and always full of joy.

Pilgrimage to holy land of India

2010-01-28T22:56:00.003+08:00

It has been quite some time since I last updated the blog and the people around me have been asking when I will write again. Today I wish to write a short article because I feel that quite a number of readers who check my blog regularly (almost daily) were disappointed by the lack of any updates. This makes me feel bad as I did not continue what I set out to do. There are several reasons why I did not write these past few months. Firstly, it was due to my laziness and secondly, while in Nepal I did not have access to internet, especially at the remote places where I stayed and traveled. So it became very inconvenient to write even with the modern IT gadgets that I have with me. Also most of the time, I was in the company of many different types of people and there were never-ending matters to handle. All these hindered the updating of the blog.

In the past few months, several beautiful and significant events happened during my stay in Nepal. For instance, the Muktinath trip with the Singapore group, the trip to Hyolmo Milarepa’s cave and also the teaching programme at our Kirtipur institute. I can’t describe them in great details now as these occurred some time back but overall, all the participants enjoyed them tremendously, so much so that people kept on asking for the next programme.

Just recently, Singapore Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre organized a tour to India that covered the holy places of Buddhism in some parts of south India and central India. This tour was really wonderful as it has been in my mind for a long time. Nagarjuna’s Hill, Amravati where Buddha gave Kalachakra, Ajana, Ellora and Sanchi Stupa built by King Ashoka are the main places we visited. I just wish to thank the people who were involved in organizing this memorable pilgrimage and also those who have helped in making this tour a great success.

After a short stay back in Singapore, I am now ready to go back to Nepal for our annual grand Mahakala Puja and Tibetan Losar. After that, Karma Kagyu Singapore is organizing a grand programme of the Anniversaries of Lord Milarepa and Marpa on the 27th and 28th of February respectively. I think these anniversaries are very important for all Kagyud followers as both Marpa and Milarepa are the source of our flourishing tradition until today.

How wonderful if every Kagyu centre celebrates the anniversaries with special prayers, Lamp offerings, some forms of social service and functions to commemorate the our lineage masters. With such forms of commemoration, eventually we will feel the value of the teachings by knowing how great our lineage Masters are and likewise their teachings. So by that way, we become influenced by their qualities and teachings. For that reason, we should celebrate and organize many meaningful programs on that occasion.

I will try to write more articles from now even if it might be short but on a more frequent basis as I do not wish to disappoint my disciples and readers.

Me at Nagajuna hill.

Journey to the Nepal and while at Nepal.....

2009-09-27T14:15:00.006+08:00

20th September early morning was somehow a mixture of feelings of sadness and joy for me. A number of disciples were at airport to send me off to Nepal. I always feel joyous going back Nepal to see my Lamas, disciples and mother but at same time, I know I will miss those people in Singapore who are always so close to me. Well, separation and reunion are part and parcel of life and as long as consciousness is within this physical body, we may not be totally free from attachment and we have to accept it. That doesn’t mean that we are hopeless in our development of enlightenment. The path that we follow up, constantly analyzing our daily lifestyle to progressively transform into more positive thoughts and actions is first step. Though this first step may still be within emotional bondage, it becomes more lax that way. It gives us a chance to understand what life is and also to live more meaningfully and happily. We can’t just fix our minds like a machine that can be instantly fixed with new parts and allow it to start functioning until it wears out. Mind training should be gradual. Fixing our minds with knowing the right views can’t just change the whole circumstances but eliminating Karmic cause and habitual tendency is an actual mode of progress that needs gradual and step by step training.

So, though attachment is not a good thing, nonetheless, having a little attachment may be useful as it can be a teaching tool. If you don’t have that within you, then is nothing for you to realize and if you do not realize, then there is no possibility to actualize the wisdom, i.e. to realize the nature of self and phenomenon. By this way, the emotions that we have actually play a very important role, as they can be one of the unavoidable causes for our realization. That doesn’t mean we should maintain such emotions and let them to develop further. We should apply an antidote force on such emotions to disperse them or make them less aggressive. Then gradually with the right method, we can recognize and transform them into wisdom.

We live in the world with a mixture of feelings that at times contain slight happiness, yet it is still in the midst of suffering nature because it initiated by our emotional state of mind. As long as this emotional controlling element exists in our life, we will definitely be obstructed by ignorance and we are likely to misinterpret issues as reality. While we are in this communal world, we have to live like others and think like them but that doesn’t mean we must hold the same or similar views like them. We are fortunate because we found a truth based on the Buddha’s teaching. It is the total solution of liberation from suffering and that is a completely right view, which can lead us to the right path and eventually attain enlightenment.

After my arrival to Kathmandu, I was happy to see Lama and friends at Kirtipur. There are no major changes except Kirtipur has good news and that is they managed to find a water source and pipe to the institute. Currently, the water is still in testing in its testing stage to ensure its quality. I stayed a few days at Kirtipur and during the time, many of my disciples came to see me. We have long conversations over general matters and a little bit of Dharma teachings.

The Paying back the kind debt of mother can be listen in youtube.

The night prior to my departure to Nepal, the recording of the master copy of audio CD has come out. I listened to it on the plane and found it is good now. The CD is being produced in Singapore and cover I have re-designed it in Nepal. Its new look is more ‘Tibetan’ with Tibetan and English lyrics. One of my Nepali disciples wishes to sponsor this revised 2nd batch of Mother Song. It will be ready in one or two weeks’ time. It may be difficult to send it to overseas but hopefully, we can upload it onto the Internet for downloading. It would be most wonderful if any Singaporean can help me in this area as my friends and devotees in the USA and Europe may not able to receive the physical CD so soon.

New Design of Audio CD

Over here in Pokhara, life is as usual and the monks are doing well in their studies and duties. Currently, we are doing 100 deities puja for 3 days as the Nepali festival Dhasain has already started. Dhasain is the longest (15 days of celebration) and one of the most celebrated events in Nepal. During this festival, most of the Hindu Nepalese celebrates the anniversary of Lord Ram who executed Rawan whom they believe is evil. So they visit temples and sacrifice animals to the god. Overall, most of the Hindu temples are drenched with the blood of animals and it becomes a very terrifying atmosphere. We Buddhists do a lot of prayers at such a time to dedicate merits to these poor animals which are mostly brought in from Tibet. When they arrive in Nepal, they are slaughtered as animal sacrifice to the temples and their bloods are offered to the god. The meat is then given to the participants of the offering to bring home. It is a good time to do prayers and with great love and compassionate thoughts, to dedicate merits to the animal.

I sincerely wish and requesting that whoever read my blog would to do some short prayers such as Om Mani Padme Hung and with compassionate nature, dedicate to the animals. I am sure this will help the animals find great relief during the intermediate stage although it is beyond our capacity to save their lives. I will be very happy if you do that and we Buddhists should feel the sufferings of our mother sentient beings and especially the suffering of beings that most urgently need our assistance. Thank you for such a noble act for these sentient beings.

While in Pokhara, there seems many programme awaiting me due to my long absence. I need to fulfill their requests of initiations and prayers as well as consultations. I will try to update my blog from time to time.

Lighting lamp and make a prayers for Sentient beings during 27th - 29th Oct during the festival of Dhasain (Dhashara).

Birthday Celebration

2009-09-17T00:43:00.016+08:00

Now my birthday is over and when I reflect on the last few weeks, it seems that I had experienced so many inspiring moments within such a short time. In our lives, moments of happiness and sadness are all not actually separate. They are simply not truly existing substantially but existing depending on how we grasp and interpret our emotions. When you see things in a joyful way, they appear to be pleasant but if we see things in a sorrowful way then no matter how wonderful things are, they will also appear to be unpleasant. So even if we can’t cut the root cause of this complex net of emotions right away, we could at least gradually take certain steps to progress towards enlightenment. The steps we should take are actually transforming adverse situations into the path, which means whether experiences are happy or sorrowful, they are truly favorable conditions. Accordingly, we appreciate whatever is happening as directly or indirectly it benefits our development very much. If that kind of thought is developed then mental stress or anxiety will disappear because there is no basis for them to sustain.

Birthday is to me a moment when feelings developed can last very long and such feelings may be fuel for my motivation to do more to benefit others. The celebration of my birthday was almost a month to me as very early on when I was in Kuala Lumpur, the KKDS members held the first celebration and made offerings of body, speech and mind and also bought a big cake. I think you may have read my earlier blog post on this.

At Johor Bharu Malaysia...

Offering of Mandala along with body spech and mind at JB Malaysia.

Cake cutting

Singing Birthday Song

Afterwards when I visited Johor Bahru for their program, they gave me a surprise at the end of the program as they had prepared a big birthday celebration. Also the members made an offering of body, speech and mind and requested me to live long for the benefit of all sentient beings. I told you that how long I will live is not within my own control yet sincere aspiration does have some impact and such wishes may be fulfilled to a certain extent, that is for sure. They also bought two different cakes, one which is a normal design and another which is in the Chinese style. It was really a joyful moment for everyone of us there and I expressed my joy and thanked them for their devotion and sincerity.

Lama being mischieviously playing with peach like cake and make every one lough..

Back to Singapore...

More then 3000 Lamp offerings at Chagzog Damcho Ling Centre.

Next one was at Chagzog Damcho Centre at Singapore, more than 150 people are gathered and the members, headed by Vicky, requested me to give them an Amitayus initiation. At that time, they prepared more than 3000 lamp offerings on the rooftop of the centre. It was due to their great devotion and sincerity in offering to the Triple Gems that caused them to be able to prepare the offerings in great detail, neatly and cleanly. The candles arranged were in different colors and in different sizes. Some of the bigger ones were meant to last until my actual birthday. It was really a touching moment to me to witness such wonderful offerings to the Triple Gems dedicated towards world peace and my longevity. After the initiation, they also had a cake and Tibetan style rice and tea to celebrate the joyful event. After offering prayers, they did a Singaporean style of bottoms-up of the tea by saying loudly “Yam Seng”. They then drank the tea and ate the rice and cake. It was really a nice atmosphere and I can see that the people were expressing their good wishes and joyfulness through their perfect expressions.

Cutting cake at Chagzog Damcho Centre with Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche.

Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre....

Back to Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre in Singapore, the Sangha and devotees performed two long days of Guru Rinpoche’s longevity ritual and on the evening of the last day, I received all the substances of longevity. I felt that I was blessed by the great puja of Konchog Chidu (union of all refuges) on the eve of my birthday.

Releasing life of animals.

Midnight celebration by group of devotees.

My actual Birthday falls on 12th September. At midnight, a number of devotees waited for the clock to strike twelve and came in two small groups to wish me happy birthday. One group brought two very delicious cakes for me to cut and make birthday wishes. Another small group of disciples made an offering of lamps in a beautiful setting and presented that to me. It all took me by surprise as I could not fathom that anybody in the centre would come to see me at such a time.

Day time puja with offring of Mandala and body speech and mind.

Members and devotees gethering and below Ren Hui and August are singing long live prayer and playing instrument.

On the actual day there were many people visiting me the whole day and everyone wished me longevity and health and some of them presented gifts to me. I gave each person a pouch of incense powder that I specially prepared from Nepal. I selected good quality incense with some special herbs that have some effect of healing through smell. It was also blessed during the 8 pairs of Nyungne retreat by our Sangha at Pokhara. I thought this should be beneficial to everyone and so I gave incense pouches to everyone on the occasion of my birthday. The actual programme started at 3:30 pm. The KKBC members and devotees made an offering of body, speech and mind dedicated towards my longevity and Ren Hui sang my longevity prayer with August playing the accompaniment on keyboard. Everybody enjoyed her very nice and soothing voice. For the last part of programme, they really surprised me by managing to get a video of my mother giving me good wishes for my birthday. They suddenly showed this to me near the end of the programme and my tears almost fell when I saw my dear mother speaking.

Then all of us chanted the prayer of "Repaying the debt of kindness to our mothers" by the 3^rd Karmapa with remembrance of our mothers' care and love. In the prayer, we make the wish that mothers will be able to end their sufferings and Avalokiteshvara will lead our mothers to the perfect state of enlightenment. It was really a very touching moment to me and I thank the committee members who quietly arranged everything to make me feel so close to my mother during my birthday.

At night there was a dinner prgramme which was sponsored by one of my disciples from Indonesia, Mrs. Budiman. It was a very nice dinner for everyone and around 350 people attended. Many nice programmes were arranged where devotees showcased their great skills in singing and playing musical instruments. A highlight was the performance of the world famous harmonica player, Mr. Chong (chairman of KKDS KL) who came from KL to celebrate my birthday. Altogether, the programme was really enjoyable and entertaining.

( I do not have night programme photo so can't present here but only can imagine)

Birthday celebration at Nepal.....

At same time, in my monastery in Nepal, they also celebrated my birthday with 2 days of continuous puja of longevity and releasing of animals. They also cut a cake and made special meals for all the monks and guests. They called me to say that they enjoyed the event very much and also greeted me with longevity wishes. Likewise, Kirtipur sangha invited my close disciples and some guests, around 80 people altogether, to celebrate birthday and they raised a prayer flag and did lamp offerings. They also cut a cake and made good wishes for me. Similarly in Tharpa Choeling Nunnery in Muktinath, the nuns did a whole day Tara puja and in the evening they celebrated birthday by cutting a cake and preparing special meals for the anis (nuns) and all the disciples. In Lumbini, a few hundred lamps were lighted at the holy places by the Sangha at Drubgyud Choeling Monastery and good wishes were made. These reports came to me by phone and there were really great blessings to me from every direction.

I made a lot of wishes for everyone to have good health and happiness blended with spiritual development. I also expressed my happiness to all the members of Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre for their efforts and whole-hearted work in carrying out many beautiful activities that have benefited so many people.

Here are some words that I expressed to the Committee and the volunteers for their works:

I wish to thank all the wonderful people of Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre and the devotees who really showed their whole-hearted devotion towards the lineage by putting every effort to make this event a great success. Each person played a very important role and without every person’s effort, the event could not have happened. Just like for a vehicle, each part is very important. When all the parts play their role perfectly, altogether we call the whole a vehicle and it can move towards its destination.

I really admire the people who came forward to help with joy and never showed how tired they were although they worked day and night for the centre’s activities but displayed a fresh face and friendly smile to everyone who visited the centre. I started to realize that we actually have many wonderful people who make Karma Kagyud Buddhist so beautiful and a comfortable place for resting the mind and practicing Dharma. I think the environment that you create is actually very important and I can see the future seed of the great development of Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre. If we can create a serene and joyful environment then the land of bliss is not elsewhere but already can be found here. So let’s not slow down our motivation of benefiting sentient beings by developing our centre.

There are so many people with different talents, like different flowers which make the whole garden so beautiful. Every single flower contributes to making up the whole garden. Likewise, the management, the administrators and each volunteer who does different work and the sponsors; they all do their part to make the centre so beautiful and pleasant that people start to come to alleviate their stress and joyfully receive the nectar of Dharma in this comfortable and pleasant garden-like environment.

I am really impressed with all of you joining your hands together and putting every thought and action for the noble Dharma activities of the centre with great unity. I am sure such ability does not come without a cause and the cause must be partly the understanding of Dharma knowledge. Just knowledge itself cannot change a person much so the cause must also be the integration of the Dharma into oneself that makes the whole thing happened. I am very happy with such qualities of yours and feel that it is nice to live within such an environment. It gives me immense joy and inspiration.

That’s why I am happy and enjoy being with you all, not just because you celebrate my birthday with some good words and gifts.

That’s all for now, I will next write next article soon.

This little nomadic boy thinks cake is what kind of animals name? ? ?

This big Birthday boy thinks cake is for cutting.!!!

Different moment or situation, arises a different conceptual towards things but they are not truly exist as what we think and even conceptual thoughts are momentarily changed. Dependently changing its appearances shows phenomenon are not truly establish as what we think and our emotional thought are also not truly reliable as well.

In this case subject is a cake to us. Not an animal name or not just for cutting purpose only. Perhaps hungry person sees it for only eating stuff just to relief hunger and not even will see as cake and its beauties. hahahaha

Life in Singapore.....

2009-09-09T16:59:00.015+08:00

Today I am little bit free so I decided to write one short article. First thing that I wish to share is that I just received a mail from one of our devotees who was very sick. He read my article where I wrote on how to handle situations when one is sick. After reading that article, he wrote to me saying that he now feels much better. That makes me extremely happy as it encourages and reminds me that my writing do help some people, especially those who are lost and in hard times. He wrote to me saying this:

‘From the Words of Wisdom and it quote by you “Sickness is the result of our Karma and so when we experience this, it means that we are in the process of purifying that Karma. Just like we try to practice Dharma and we do many good deeds to purify our Karma; similarly, when we face sickness, it is also a kind of purification we are having. So with such an understanding, our sickness is not just a form of pain but we are eliminating the cause of negative Karma which might lead to more serious consequences if not manifested in this way.”

Good Words of Wisdom and I feel better now.

Regards,’

This is really great and I am more encouraged to write something that I feel is good and meaningful. Nonetheless, you should not expect all the time that I can write meaningful sentences and words that have lots of wisdom as occassionally, I simply write as I like because I am a human being. And what I write are some times just descriptions of certain things or matters which maybe just a thought of one person that may not relate to the Dharma but are related to the general life of an ordinary person.

Back to the Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centre in Singapore, it seems that everyone is little excited over the coming event of my birthday and many of them are very busy organizing the event. I already mentioned in an earlier blog that birthday to me is a mixture of happy and sad feelings. Sad - not because I am getting older but just the feeling that I am still not awakened from ignorance since beginningless time. If we reflect this carefully, then we feel very uncomfortable and birth is an indication of our failure to awake from the deep sleep of ignorance and it represents the start of another chapter of our dream. So in this manner, we have many chapters of dream on going ceaselessly one after another. When are we able to wake up? Seems like very difficult to stir us from our deep slumber and we will take a long time to awaken …..

Anyway, now that we know we are dreaming, we can seize this opportunity to wake up because we are now aware of our dream state. We will not be as confused as before and we can take any situation with lesser attachment since we now know it is like a dream. Hence, there is no grasping basis for us to attach to it and view it as a reality and deem it truly existing. What we need to do is to handle our habititual tendencies and to eliminate them gradually by putting in more effort into our practice. When we reflect on that, then we should feel happy because we are now already in the process of practice to awaken ourselves and this is only possible due to our births.

Regardless, I am very touched by the Members of Karma Kagyu whose devotion is so stable and driven from such quality, they are trying their best to make the simple birthday event nice and pleasant. Also when I see every single member of the committee working very hard and in unity, much like a person with one mind, letting go of their personal interests, egos or agendas, I feel so great and touched. I do not need any physical gifts for my birthday. Actually, the greatest birthday gift I wish for is this unity quality amongst the members. This harmonious gift is the best birthday gift for me and I will accept it wholeheartedly. I am really blessed with such a wonderful environment and people around me. I have confidence that this environment will not only last but it can develop more beautifully as time goes by because every one thinks positively and is moving selflessly toward such a development. I just want to thank all the wonderful committee members, members and devotees, who are the main driving force of our centre’s good progress and who ceaselessly support us in so many ways over a very long period of time. You all are truly wonderful people and I really treasure each and everyone one of you as a great person with great qualities. I am not trying to please you by saying this but these are my heartfelt words deep from within.

( Below photo is my mother and niece at Kirtipur)

In one of my earlier articles, I expressed about how important our mothers are. A few close people wrote to me and asked if I am missing my mummy a lot and thus the article. I did not write the article just because I miss my mummy. I actually wish to share the awareness of reflecting on the kindness of our mothers because in this modern society, we are too involved with developing our own future so we tend to forget the other important part of our life which is our parents. Some times I hear couples referring to ‘my family’ as only their partners and children.

They exclude their mother and father which to me is a really very selfish and wrong attitude. So I hope all of us understand the kindness of our parents and by giving our love and care to our parents, it is actually a quality of human beings as well as a good practitioner. I merely wish to convey this message to my readers. I do not know a fathers’ love and care because my father passed away when I was only 1 year old and so I hardly remember him. But I do know that fathers are equally important like mothers so those who still have fathers with you that means you are very fortunate and treasure every moment of it and you should give your care and love to him similarly to the mother.

Some of you gave comments and expressed encouraging words to my articles. I thank all of you and also, if you wish to ask or share something with everyone, please feel free to leave a comment. This will make you a part of the community to the blogger.

Recently, we have been working on a CD album. Just a few days before the audio CD edit was completed, I received the master CD and played it. I listened to my own voice and I was a little embarrassed because I can sense that I am not well prepared in the beginning. I felt a bit nervous as I neither sing like a professional singer nor chant like a puja master. Eventually, things got a bit better and smoother. The recording was done in a hurry just before I left Singapore for KL centre so I did not have the chance to re-record or make any changes or even listen to the raw recording prior to editing. Therefore, please do not have high expectations on this audio CD that has me singing. I am really touched by this project’s group head Ren Hui. She has a really beautiful voice and I especially find the children singing very touching. This is really a group effort that arises purely from their hearts. It is infused with tremendous feelings towards our mothers. I know all of them are not professional singers but their efforts are driven by their love towards all mothers and this is truly special.

I seen the email circular that this CD will be launched on my birthday and already, I am beginning to feel a bit shy. Hopefully, people will take it as an effort from my heart and not judge at the voice quality and professionalism. It is for free distribution and you can get a copy from the Centre. You can listen to it as well as read or sing along with the lyrics on the cover. I thank all the generous people contributing toward this production. May this create a loving and caring nature for everyone.

You can listen the sample song here.

Full song in youtube is here.

Another embarrassing project is the photo journal. I am not a good photographer as you may think but I do love to take photos of nature and expressions of people. So this book presentation of photos is not to indicate how good a photographer I am but rather as a present for the Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centre on my birthday. All sales of the photo journal will go directly to the Singapore Karma Kagyu Centre for its Dharma Activities to flourish. So please support these noble activities by ordering your copies of the photo journal with our centre and I thank you for your support towards the centre.

JB centre celebrate my birthday in advance.

after cake cutting, members enjoying foods.

Chagzog Damcho Centre Singapore celebrate birthday.

My last night at Kuala Lumpur.....

2009-09-03T21:32:00.010+08:00

My last night’s stay in Kuala Lumpur was really a memorable one. Members celebrated my birthday in advance since I can’t be there on my birthday next week. They did not inform me earlier but quietly did all the preparations as they wish to give me a surprise. And indeed I was pleasantly surprised.

The members prepared body, speech and mind offering with a gift of a big cup from Royal Selangor Pewter. Also everyone brought along his or her favorite dishes, resulting in somewhat like an international food fare.

You can also watch Youtube for Kuala Lumpur birthday celebration.

Everyone wished me longevity and to turn the wheel of dharma. But I feel that in life, we do not have much choice. Yet, aspirations are important. They work inevitably and eventually so I think they may have some effect and influence to our lives. Also, it is very important on how you live and the purpose that you live for. If you live for others, then it makes a lot of sense and you can contribute towards mankind. In this way, you can purify the mind by dispersing the craving for oneself and any related attachments.

During the dinner, I gave a short speech and its essence is as follows: I wish to thank everyone for giving me such a wonderful birthday celebration that expresses your love and care towards me. When I think over such events (birthday), I develop two different feelings simultaneously. One is joyful and another is not so joyful but of uneasy feeling. I will explain the reasons. Joyful - because our birth as a human precious body begins with so much potentiality and it is beneficial to everyone. It is even possible to attain enlightenment within such a human birth. So a great birth has taken place and it should really be worth celebrating.

Now the other uneasy feeling side is this - if we don’t treasure it to develop great qualities of enlightenment, then birth itself is nothing wonderful but in fact more sorrowful. The birth itself is a continuation of 12 interdependent links that start from ignorance and end with aging and death. In between these 12 interdependent links, we constantly experience tremendous suffering and confusions, which have no attributes. Not only that, we further create many more causes of sufferings in the future by doing lots of unwholesome deeds. So such a kind of birth is neither worth celebrating nor joyful. In fact, I feel sad that until now after so many lifetimes, I have still not managed to reverse the link of Samsara - how sad it is.

In general, I think my birth itself is nothing great but I feel the person who gave birth to me is in fact very important. And that is my mother. She has gone through so much physical suffering while she carried me in her womb and at the time of delivery. Nonetheless, she was mentally so happy and eager to see her child. That selflessness love and care is so great it seems unfathomable in our normal state of mind. So during this birthday, I remember the kindness and love from my mother and pay great respect to her. I am also suggesting to my disciple and reader of this blog that if your mother is still around, then consider it your golden period and try to cherish and treasure your mother by thinking of her selfless love towards you in many ways. So you should love her and give her your full care and gratitude especially when she is getting older and need more of your support. And you should not hesitate to give her your hand. It is an opportunity for you to pay the immense debt of kindness to her. If your mother is no more with you, then you should still think of her with good aspirations and when you see any old lady who needs help or assistance, just give her your helping hand regardless of who she is. When you give your love and care to her, I am sure you will start to see your mother’s love from her. Its great isn’t it? In fact every sentient being is our mother in general so we can show our love and compassionate act by assisting anyone. This is also paying the debt of kindness to mother.

So these are my thoughts during my birthday. I encourage people who are close to me to try to follow and engage in such acts. And to those who are already doing it, I salute you for you all are really wonderful people. In other words, you are indeed a great child of a great mother.

Before I end, I wish to express my thanks to Kuala Lumpur Karma Kagyu Dharma Society’s committee and members and especially to Venerable Lama Zotpa, the resident lama. Lama is well qualified to teach and guide followers. One special quality of his is that he is very humble and simple. I feel KKDC is very fortunate to have such a good lama in residence.

Right now, I am in Johor Bahru Saraha Buddhist Society and shortly after arrival I started to write this article, which I think, is good to share with readers of my blog.

I manage to put some photo which is taken by some of our Lamas and is not high resolution picture. All the photos are taken at KL cenre.

While in KL

2009-09-01T10:15:00.011+08:00

In Kuala Lumpur, we are busy doing Jangchog Puja. Daily, I see quite a number of people coming to attend the prayers while others come to pay their respect to their beloved deceased whose names are included for the Puja.

Chinese lunar seventh month is known as the ghost month to common Chinese origins but Buddhist people of Chinese origin regard that as time to dedicate merits to deceased people as well as all beings such as Karmic Debtors. Every Buddhist temple is busy with activities of prayers and dedication during this month. That also applies to centres that follow Tibetan Buddhist traditions in East Asia and South East Asia but there maybe slight difference.

The Karma Kagyu Buddhist centre in Singapore and Malaysia follow the same programme that is 100 deities Puja for Jangchog. This text is from Guru Rinpoche’s hidden treasury that was revealed by Karma Lingpa. It is very a extensive preparation and detailed puja.

Related to the 100 deities puja, a Jangchog puja is also specially added and performed for deceased people during this time. The meaning of Jangchog is ritual of purification. It is a step-by-step guide to the path and it encompasses various levels of empowerment to the consciousness of the deceased so that one can develop from first step of refuge to the highest level of tantric empowerment to the entire stages of creation and completion within a short moment until finally the deceased is able to attain the non-dual state of Vajradhara with the assistance of ritual and the Master of the puja. That is the whole idea of Jangchog and it is absolutely not like giving food or some material offerings to the spirit, hoping that they will be happy and give good luck in return.

The entire Ritual benefits not only the deceased but to anyone who is within the samsara because during prayers, we make aspiration and dedication to all sentient beings that pervade the entire space. In this way directly or indirectly, it benefits everyone. In Buddhist practice, aspiration is important as it makes entire enlightenment become possible. So we generate merits and then make an aspiration and dedication for the cause of enlightenment for every sentient being.

My stay at Kuala Lumpur Karma Kagyu Dharma Society was great and most people I know from long time and many old members still come to the centre and play an active role of helping the centre. This is fantastic and it indicates that their devotion to the lineage is firm and unshakeable. This centre was established by His Holiness 16th Karmapa directly with the help of a few disciples at that time. Eventually everyone shows interest and the centre gets supports from many people. Today the centre is well established and it has a great shrine hall and many residence rooms for the sangha. Many Rinpoches visit here to give valuable teachings and programme, especially His Holiness 17th Gyalwa Karmapa who visited twice to give teachings and empowerments.

You can also visit the website for details: http://www.kagyu-asia.com/kl/index.html

I will be moving from here to Johor Bahru Saraha centre for a 3-days programme and then back to Singapore.

In the earlier blog I wrote a story of wealth god and luck and it seems little interest for some of you. There is some one who wishes to donate some money to the Nuns of Tharpa Choling which I rejoice. You can hand over your donation to anyone who is joining the tour with us to the nunnery, so it can be handed over to the nunnery. Thanks for your generosity.

Kuala Lumpur Visit.

2009-08-28T16:54:00.006+08:00

Right now I am in Kuala Lumpur and will be here for a few days to do some programme at the Karma Kagyu Dharma Society. Before that while I was in Singapore, I had been busy on many things such as five days puja and then also in between some other works and seeing people. One of the works is interesting to me as our Singapore centre wishes to publish a book that contains my photo journal. I am trying to prepare my good photos from my entire photo album that approximates to thousands of shots. I have chosen nicer photos and particularly those taken by me during the last 10 years. I have added some captions, some of which are related to Dharma practice.

This project is done by one of our dharma sister but I need to assist in giving every information and explanation. This album is actually part of Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centre’s fund raising purpose and I am providing the photo and explanations. It will be launching on 12th September on my birthday. I guess many of you have seen some of the photos in my blog.

Another project is the recording of one prayer which I sing along with music. The prayer, composed by the 3rd Karmapa, is about paying the kind debt to our mother. One very kind and generous person contributed for the cost of production of the audio CD for free distribution in Singapore. I am not sure how good it will be but I have done my best. There are other songs sang by our own people who have the talent in singing and in creating music. It is not a commercial project but purely to create awareness of how great mothers are and we need to understand mothers’ contribution towards us.

There are people who come to see me seeking consultation on many subjects such as their practices, daily matters and also some times weird questions. One time, some one came to ask me about lottery. He said he did not buy the number that is in right front of him. The numbers were actually on one of the items presented by me. One day, he saw that number came out as first prize but he had not bought it. He then asked me why he missed to buy that number which is already there? I told him one short story and that is: Long ago, a great Bodhisattva met the Wealth God and the Bodhisattva asked him “You are the god of wealth and yet you did not give wealth to the needy ones. People are suffering from poverty, yet you simply did not care for them. You should give them wealth to relieve their problems instead of giving more to the people who already have so much wealth.” Then the Wealth God replied, “I also wish to do that but somehow my wealth doesn’t seem to benefit the poor people and on contrary, benefits the rich people.” The Bodhisattva then asked, “How can that be if you wish to give and they do not benefit? It is not possible like that.” The Wealth God answered, “If you don’t believe in what I just said then I will show you what will happen. Please come with me and let’s see”. Both of them walked towards a bridge and the Wealth God placed a big piece of gold that is shaped like a stone in the middle of the bridge. Both of them stood aside to see what is going to happen.

Soon, three beggars came along and they were jesting with each other on who is smarter. Just before crossing the bridge, they decided that whoever crosses the bridge the fastest whilst being blindfolded is the smartest person amongst them. So they tied a small piece of cloth over their eyes, blindfolded themselves and started to cross the bridge. All three of them crossed the bridge without seeing the gold! They were merely engrossed with praising the person who had walked the fastest and they left.

Later another person came along and he was singing a song while crossing the bridge. Though his feet struck the gold, he did not notice it as gold but deemed it just an ordinary stone. In fact, he was angry and spat on it and left.

Subsequently, one rich man riding on a horse carrying many jewelry and wealth came onto that bridge. Immediately he saw the gold, got off the horse, picked it up, carried that along and left. After that the Wealth God told the Bodhisattva, “You see, I too wish needy people will benefit from my wealth but it is usually not the case. On the contrary, it benefits those who already have some assets by way of accumulation of past merits and which creates a cause for them to achieve worldly and beyond worldly accomplishments.

The Bodhisattva thinks it is individual’s Karma to receive the results from the cause, which they have created earlier. No one can simply change the fate of another. He felt very compassionate towards them and decided that the most important thing is to create a good cause for everyone so that they can be free from suffering.

Many people think luck is different from Karma. I think luck is linked to Karma. It is the sole creator and main cause of happiness or suffering so when it is ripened, we experience the result accordingly. That was the story I told him.

Pilgrimage to Muktinath and Jomsom

2009-08-24T02:42:00.003+08:00

Proposed Itinerary from 30 Sep 09 to 12 Oct 09

Day 1) 30-Sep-09 Wed Kathmandu Arrive at Kathmandu, Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies ( KIBS). Guest house at KIBS

Day 2) 1st Oct 09 Thu

Kathmandu- Pokhara Leave KIBS early morning after breakfast by coach to Pokhara (6hrs journey).

Guest house at Pokhara

Day 3)2nd Oct 09 Fri

Pokhara Visit Jangchub Choeling Monastery, retreat Centre, Tibetan Camp and the Old Folk Home. Free & Easy in the evening. Guest house at Pokhara

Day 4) 3rd Oct 09 Sat.
Pokhara-Jomson Leave Pokhara by jeep ( 6 hrs journey) to Jomsom.
Arrive Jomson in the afternoon for lunch. Guest House at Jomsom

Day 5) 4th Oct 09 Sun. Jomsom

Muktinath After breakfast, continue Journey from Jomsom to Muktinath (2 hrs journey). Arrive at Tharpa Choeling Nunnery around noon. Welcome lunch and puja at the Nunnery. (Anniversary date of the Nunnery) Tharpa Choeling Nunnery

Day 6) 5th Oct 09 Mon. Muktinath Visit Holy places of Muktinath. (a) Tharpa Choeling Nunnery

Day 7) 6th Oct 09 Tue. Muktinath - Jomson Leave Muktinath after breakfast.

Drive to Jomsom by Jeep (2 hours’ drive).
Lunch at Jomson. Free & Easy after lunch. Guest house at Jomson

Day 8) 7th Oct 09 Wed. Jomson Visit (b) Kutsab Ternga Monastery in Jomson.

Puja and other program by Rinpoche at the Monastery including receiving blessing and viewing the
5 treasures of Guru Rinpoche. Visit Jomson Museum in the evening. Guest house at Jomson

Day 9) 8th Oct 09 Thu. Jomson – Marhpha Leave Jomson for Marpha in the morning.

Visit Marpha Monastery (old Nyingma Monastery) and proceed to Guru Rinpoche’s Cave (3 hours walk).

Overnight at Tukche. Guest house at Tukche.

Day 10) 9th Oct 09 Fri. Tukche - Pokhara Visit the old Karma Kagyu Monastery at Tukche in the morning before proceeding back to Pokhara (6hrs drive)

Guest house at Pokhara

Day 11) 10th Oct 09 Sat Pokhara - Kathmandu Leaves from Pokhara to Kathmandu after breakfast. Arrives at KIBS in afternoon. Free & Easy in the evening. Guest house at Pokhara

Day 12) 11th Oct 09 Sun Kathmandu Free & Easy KIBS (c)

Day 13) 12th Oct 09 Mon Kathmandu / Fly back from Kathmandu after early lunch.

Home Sweet Home

• Please note that the above itinerary is only a proposal and may subject to change.

• For further enquiries, please call : 65-98113936 or email admin.kibs@gmail.com

(a) Tharpa Choeling Monastery – Where the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche stayed and benefitted the people there during his time. Rinpoche built the nunnery there and was officially inaugurated by Shamar Rinpoche on 4.10.2000.

(b) Kutsab Ternga Monastery - old Monastery rebuilt by the 1st Shangpa Rinpoche. He stayed here for sometime during then.

(c) KIBS – Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Institute at Kirtipur built by Ven Shangpa Rinpoche.

Acclimatization : Muktinath is located at about 3800m above sea level, the higher the altitude the less oxygen there is in the air. Your body needs many days to adapt to this and some may experience symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) likes mild headaches, fever, loss of appetite or stomach disorder. We advise specially those with known heart or lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling.

Journey on the Moon! Oops it is actually Mustang…..

2009-08-22T02:51:00.008+08:00

When I first visited Mustang 9 years ago, immediately upon landing at the Jomsom airport, I felt like I was on a different planet because it was so different from where I grew up and had visited in the past. The terrain is rocky and very rugged and the mountains were barren without any trees. People were moving from one place to another by riding on horses. Houses were made of mud and stones with lots of fuel wood piled on top of the roof.

At that time, I was invited to inaugurate the opening ceremony of Mustang’s only museum. It was built by a Japanese man called Idasan and who is a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner. Upon completion of the entire programme, we went to Muktinath for pilgrimage.

There was a family who came to see me and offered the land where at one time, the past Shangpa Rinpoche had built a small temple and stayed for a while. Subsequently, the temple had no caretaker and eventually collapsed and turned into a dilapidated state. So this family offered the land back to me. After consideration, I began to think it is good to build a nunnery there because some nuns who are ordained at Pokhara and are dependent on me for their education needed a place to stay. So I decided to accept the land and slowly planned to build the entire nunnery. It took almost 5 years to complete everything and today the nunnery accommodates around 35 nuns. They have education facility and their needs are well taken care of. Usually, I visit the nunnery once a year and give some teachings and advice to the nuns.

My last visit was unplanned and unexpectedly happened. There was development of a road construction to Muktinath and the road is linked to our nunnery as well. On top of that I did not visited Kutsab Ternga Monastery at Jomsom for some time and the monks there requested me to visit them and to give them some guidance. I actually was supposed to return to Singapore but as I did not have much programme immediately upon return to Singapore, I delayed my flight and decided to go there by road.

Mustang is a very remote area that has no road access until last year. From last year onward, there is a new bumpy road full of gravels and it extends all the way to Jomsom. It is interesting to try the road and also the scenery along the journey can be very spectacular. A few lamas and myself departed early in the morning from Pokhara and drove towards Jomsom. Up to the Village called Beni, the road is pretty comfortable until we reach the rough road. Recalling the one time which I took two days on foot, this journey by car is comparatively much more comfortable. We had lunch at a small canteen and then around 3pm, we reached Jomsom.

Somehow, Tsampa was waiting there for us although I did not inform him of our arrival. I suppose he knew about us coming from Ani. We stayed a while at Tsampa’s place and then Tsampa and others advised us not to drive because we need to cross one big river that does not have a road bridge. It is dangerous if the water level is high. So we crossed the normal suspension bridge by foot and took another jeep from the other side. It was just another hour and a half drive uphill. That was a nice journey and as usual, the locals in their traditional costumes were waiting to welcome me with drums and the Ani lined up and played the trumpets ( Gyaling ). We finally we reached Muktinath safely.

Muktinath is now accessible via with road and jeeps can easily reach there. We requested the village to allow and assist for a road directly to the nunnery and the village people happily accepted. I went to see and advice on that matter. The nuns were excited that in future, jeeps could go all the way to nunnery, making it very convenient. I also visited the holy places of Muktinath which 108 spring water and of natural flame from stone and water.

Both Buddhists and Hindus believe in this holy place and both have their own versions of the stories connected to the holy place. Buddhists, especially the Vajrayana practitioners believe this place is the palace of Chakrasamvara. When the Buddha conferred the Tantra, he manifested in the form of Chakrasamvara and blessed the holy place, transforming it into the mandala of Chakrasamvara. That’s why 84 saints of India also visited this place and poured the water that they carried from Manasrovar. This water miraculously became spring water. So it has the effect of purifying sicknesses and bestows good health and longevity. Also, Guru Rinpoche visited this place on the way to Tibet. Hindus believe this is Vishnu and Lord Shiva’s sacred place and people all the way from India and different parts of Nepal come to here to take a bath which they believe purify their sins.

During my stay at the Nunnery, I also arranged for some of the nuns to go to India for further study of Buddhist philosophy so they can be future teachers at the nunnery. The nuns usually have good basic education at the nunnery. Not only do they learn chanting and Buddhist practice, they also learn languages and a little bit of computing skills. They can speak good English but often, they are very shy to speak the language. Occasionally, some western ladies come and teach them English and in return, they learn the Tibetan language.

When I returned to Jomsom, I visited Kutsab Ternga Temple which is a very historical temple that rebuilt by my past life Shangpa Rinpoche. This temple still house a number of the surviving old monks and they all recalled the time of my past life. So with each of my visit, they tell me stories of how the temple was built and what Shangpa Rinpoche had said and so on. Therefore each time I visit the temple, I feel I am back to the moment of the past and a sort of blissful feeling arises. Infact, the monks and people there always consider me as their Lama and with my assistance, the temple can have good progress. I also offered to help training their monks at Pokhara and one of them is already in the three years retreat so he can be a good potential for their temple. Also each time I visit, I contribute a little bit of money for the monk’s education purpose though the sum is not considerable. Nonetheless, it was my gesture of thought and care.

At Jomsom, I used to stay at a lodge called Om’s Home. The owner is very devoted to me because of their parents are disciples of my past life. They do their best to make my stay comfortable. While at the lodge, I met some influential people and we had a long discussion regarding about my past life. The head Lama of Marpha Temple called Gelong Maila, one of the most respected monks at that region and who is the disciple of Dagkar Rinpoche of Drukpa Kagyu, told me about the past Shangpa Rinpoche about his visit to Jomsom and the rebuilding of Kutsabternga. Another person is Tsampa-la who is a Tibetan physician and also good practitioner. His father was also a disciple of Shangpa Rinpoche. He shared with me many stories of the past Shangpa Rinpoche which I have never heard of so it was really interesting. In the evening, one of the disciple invited me to their house for dinner and the family cooked very nice dishes.

The next day, we left Jomsom for Pokhara. We drove and along the way stopped to take photos of the Himalayas and of the wildflowers. It was really a enjoyable trip.

At the place called Tukche, we visited one old temple that belongs to the Karma Kagyu tradition. It is very old and is in a very bad condition. We lighted some lamp offering and seeing the condition of temple, we felt very sad as temple wall paintings have faded as a result of rain water leakage. I made good wishes and departed from there. On the way, we sighted a beautiful waterfall and took some photos and also soaked ourselves in the extremely cool and nice water. The remaining journey from there to Pokhara is all the way downhill and so with lower altitudes, we experienced warmer climates. In the evening around 7 pm, we arrived at Pokhara. My journey ended nicely.

We have planned a group tour to Muktinath and several holy places including temples of lower Mustang starting 1st October 2009. It is also the anniversary of the Muktinath Nunnery so there will be some proramme there. I will update the schedule of the group tour in my next blog so if any of you are interested and have the time can join the tour.

If you need to know more about the tour please click to this link: http://www.kirtipur.org/courses_pilgrimages.html#guru

Many of the wild flowers are not only beautiful but also use as harbal medicine.

Group Photo at Kutsabternga.

While In Singapore......

2009-07-29T22:55:00.009+08:00

Today I do not have a busy schedule and feel like writing a short article, but I don’t know how short is short? Generally, everything is based on comparison only because short and long, high and low as well as good and bad are all relative. All phenomena are not existing as sole entities but only interdependently arising, we simply define them as a form of object and by their given names as well as characteristics. Without the names and characteristics we may not be able to communicate to others. Therefore, even Buddha also used words to describe himself as “I” and his things as “mine” in the relative level because these interdependently arise accordingly. So we just have to follow this way although ultimately if we search for the true essence of things we may not find things exist as a whole but as a collection of characteristics. Just for example, for flowers, we can find flower petals, the corolla of a flower, pollen of a flower, branch of a flower, color of a flower etc.. But we cannot find a real flower from within these.

Now talking about myself, I have been seeing people most days and it is just as usual. Some ask about practice and others ask about day to day’s problems. I am not able to solve their problems entirely but just try my best to give advice within my capacity. Many of the things that we experience are just experience and we give them a name such as problem or pleasure. When we look back on a certain experience which was a problem, it might be the cause of today’s success. For example, when we face some difficulty and can’t find a solution, we go to a temple and get teachings from a good master and the teachings awaken us from ignorance. From there, we start to feel happy in our lives as we are now. Definitely such problems are directly or indirectly the cause of leading us in the path towards wisdom. Otherwise, we would not need to go to the temple to meet the master to find solutions when there is no chance for us to improve in our way of thinking. So that sort of problem outwardly looks like a problem but it actually is the path of success itself. There is a saying in Tibetan, “Suffering is the introducer of Happiness”. So let’s view the difficulties as something which is not terribly bad but also has its own beauty and is the steps leading towards success. This way, we feel differently about whatever hardship is experienced mentally or physically. It transforms suffering into the path of success. On top of that, if we go a little bit deeper into the understanding that the grasping of self is the main cause of every emotion, and that self is not established within the skandas (5 aggregates) or 5 elements as a whole or collectively, then the realization becomes a path towards enlightenment.

See some photo taken at Denmark:

The Royal Place of Denmark. Copenhagen

Beautiful panoramic view of Copenhagen City.

During the Empowerment.

Last day everyone chanted longevity prayers for me.

Some of the students climbed the tree at night after teaching. They were having fun. haha

Malik and Tenzing recieving some oral transmission at their tidy litte shrine house.

Flowers, Flowers and Flowers :-)

2009-07-27T20:33:00.004+08:00

Some people might wonder why each time, I start my article with a picture of a flower. I feel that is the best way to begin the reading because when we feel a little bit tired or stressed with normal activities or our business, we want to try to find some open space with flowers and greenery so as to feel nice and freshen up our mind and body. By seeing the flowers and figuring out what the colors and patterns of the flowers and leaves are, tension will be released and we will feel relaxed. Therefore most of us feel happy seeing flowers and gardens. When the mind is full of stress, it seems all the surroundings look terrible and not pleasant due to the hectic state of mind. Then in order for relaxation, we need to switch our focus to something different; flowers or some pleasurable yet meaningful reading materials may help. I am not telling you that my article is pleasurable and meaningful to read but just telling you in general. I like to start my article with flowers which are mostly captured by me and I feel comfortable to write the article starting with flowers. It just gives me some kind of an open mind to express the joy of writing so I believe readers feel the same way as I do or at least the flowers bring a little smile to their face when they are reading.

Anyway, talking about flowers, the actual meaning can be more than that as usually flowers can be a good example of enlightened qualities as they come from the mud or earth but are not affected by dirt from mud or earth. They are pure and bright which always gives a pleasant feeling to whoever sees them. They do not have an intention but they fulfill everyone’s purpose. Just like for devotees, they are an offering to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for accumulation of merits. For another person, he/ she might sell them for an income for survival. They can also be a gift for friends or loved ones to make them feel happy and feel our care and concern. In this way, many purposes and needs are fulfilled unconditionally. Universally, we use flowers as symbols of beauty, clarity and purity. They are one of the best substances to use for the purposes of religions, traditions and different activities in the world. So flowers are the similar to great Bodhisattvas or enlightened manifestations, which remain in Samsara but do not contain samsaric defects. They inspire us be like the Bodhisattva who is pure like a flower and yet is within Samsara to benefit everyone of us accordingly. Just like Avalokiteshvara is being praised by all the Buddhas as being like a white lotus that comes from mud without being affected by the muddiness; pure and full of beauty and fragrance that gives joy to everyone.

Now I am back to Singapore, on the occasion of Buddha’s first turning of the wheel of Dharma, I went to release lives of animals.

About the turning of the wheel of Dharma, realization of enlightenment comes from Buddha’s speech and goes into the disciples’ ears and affects their minds, turns their minds to wisdom and they become enlightened. That is why it is called the turning of the wheel of Dharma. The teachings purify the mind and the sentient beings get liberated in this way. The real purpose of Buddhas to come to this earth is to teach and to transform the defiled mind into wisdom and cause everyone to achieve the state of enlightenment. In conclusion, if one applies the teachings of the Buddha, there is no way that we will not attain enlightenment. Definitely enlightenment can be attained. That is the purpose of the teachings.

I met many of our members, devotees and friends with smiling faces and I feel happy to see them all. We go to the small boat and released many animals with proper purification prayers and dedications. It really relieves the animals from death and they can go freely about their world for some time. There are three perfections of generosity; material gift, gift of fearlessness and protection and the gift of Dharma. This releasing of life is under the category of the generosity of fearlessness and protection. To make this perfect, one has to apply such an act with three seals; that is the realization that subject, object and action are not truly established. That is emptiness and with this seal then it directly becomes a cause of enlightenment. Without that is just accumulation of merits. Therefore these three seals are very important and that makes the perfection or Paramita (meaning is Gone beyond Samsara).

This Both Photo of flowers are taken at Denmark during my visit there.

On the way to Singapore from Denmark

2009-07-24T19:08:00.009+08:00

Now I am in the plane and coming back to Singapore. It was a long but comfortable journey. My stay in Denmark was very memorable as it was under the invitation of Clouse and Malik for their centre. I know Malik from more than 3 years ago and later his father Clouse came to Nepal and requested me to come and teach the practice of Chod and Mahakala. That was 2 years back and both of them waited for my free time and it happened this time. We had a nice programme in Denmark and those attending were very keen to learn the traditional way of practice as well as receiving clear explanations. I did my best to teach them how to practice and hopefully they have benefitted a little bit. There are so many methods of practice under Mahayana and Vajrayana but one very important thing is the application of all practice with relative and ultimate truth. Any practice of Vajrayana creation and completion begins with emptiness, which is the realization of the ultimate truth. Realization of emptiness is then followed by the visualization of mandala that is clear and vivid but empty in nature, which is the relative truth. So here emptiness is not ‘nothingness’ but lacking of its truth of existence as permanent and independently single. Everything that appeared in front of us without checking, we believe they truly exist and are solid or single. But if we investigate a little further to find out its reality, then we can not find true existence as one or independently. So it lacks the identity of being truly established. Appearance is due to interdependence arising. Anything that interdependently arises, they do not solely exist and are empty in nature. If one understands this reality and then adapts that into practice, eventually realization will take place. It is important to understand this because real enlightenment can be achieved only through realization of ultimate truth and that is not separated from relative truth. Within the ultimate truth there is relative truth and vice versa. So it causes the Dharma Kaya and Rupa Kaya which accomplishes the purpose of oneself and others.

In this way, the ritual like practice (of Chod) has a great method of meditation unlike other cultural rituals as what some people believe it is. When you don’t explore the essence of practice with proper guidance and just follow the procedure of rituals on the surface, then one may think it’s simply a ritual and nothing more than that. My teacher used to tell me one simple practice of Yidam is actually the complete, entire ground, path and fruition of the Buddha’s teaching.

I was guiding some practice that needed to have melody and I thought it is difficult because western people may not be able to learn it well as they use entirely different language from Asian languages. But to my surprise they eventually can chant so well and also they like the melody very much. It gives me a lot of inspiration to teach and at the same time enjoy the teaching. The centre I visited was far from Copenhagen and it is about 4 hours drive from Copenhagen. This area is mainly farm land and they plant many kinds of crops. Also, windmills are everywhere and the place is windy, sometimes it feels cold even in summer. The centre is serving organic vegetarian food for everyone so it's very healthy to live. The organic food is grown from their own farm land which were freshly picked and cooked.

I am in the plane and flying above Afghanistan and Pakistan somewhere now and I am supposed to sleep at this time but I do not feel sleepy so I keep on writing. Coming back to Singapore always feels good because so many nice people are there and it’s become second home already. I will have good time meeting all the disciples and friends again. Anyway 25^th of July is a special day as it is the day the Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time. So the centre is going to organize releasing of animal life as a form of practice of generosity by saving lives of others who are in fear. Also we will have some prayers at night to celebrate the special events and accumulate the merits. By the time I reached Singapore I might be feeling a little bit jet lag and my mind may not be so fresh but still I think I can function. Haha

Actually I have not written articles for some time and it has become a little difficult for me to start now. I still have to start when I think of those people who check my blog every day to see if there are any updates or not. I don’t want to disappoint them so I just put in a little effort to write. Actually I should be continuing my biography but it was interrupted for some time due to my busy schedule of traveling and also many times because of laziness. So maybe I will kick out my laziness for certain distance and try to write when I have free time. I may not write long articles as sometime readers may feel bored and also someone advised me that reading long articles on screen is not good for eyesight so I don’t want my readers to have weak eyesight. Haha. Anyway, it's fun to write now as if I am in conversation with my friends who are just simply listening to me. That’s all for now and wish you all the best.

My message to Denmark friends which I met this time, I am very touched with your clear minded devotion to the Dharma and also have given me so much care and love which I will always remember. It is a fuel for my development of Bodhichitta and inspiration to do more beneficial work. As I wrote in the Blog a long time ago, when a student learns something from me, I am at the same time learning many things. So in reality, we all are students of each other. Therefore, thanks to all of you for everything and to have given me the opportunity to know you and learn many good qualities from you. I really admire your enthusiasm towards Practice and that lineage. Please keep it up as that is your asset to be free from suffering for everyone. Special thanks to Clouse and Eva, Malik and Tenzin as well as Carina and Trine. To every one of you, I give my good wishes and see you next time.

21 July 2009

2009-07-21T17:05:00.003+08:00

The programme for this centre is complete and people are starting to leave for their homes. I am also preparing to go to Copenhagen later. Its' impermanence - the end of gathering is separation. In a more positive way, the end of separation is again gathering, so it is not so bad.

Anyway I really had a wonderful time here and the last few days were very busy with teachings and empowerments. The people who participate seem happy with all the guidance they have received. I wish that they have very successful progress in their spiritual development as well as their day to day beneficial activities.

18th July.

2009-07-19T01:25:00.001+08:00

Photo taken at Rose Garden.

17th July fine weather here

2009-07-17T18:48:00.007+08:00

Today is the second day of the Chod Puja and everyone can chant and play the instruments in a very orderly manner. We are actually in the puja the whole day except for a 2 hours break for lunch and dinner. Everyone is doing wonderfully.
Yesterday afternoon at 2 pm, I had a nice time doing video conferencing with Singapore KKBC members and managed to greet Sherab Rinpoche online. That is really a wonderful part of technology.
The regular surfer of my blog who gives her knowledge of flowers is fantastic and I am really eager to know what the flower I posted is and what function the flower has. I take photos of flowers and plants in wherever I find them when traveling. Thanks to Meng.

Panoramic view of Rose Garden

Before our programme started, we visited the rose garden nearby which has so many different types of roses blooming. It is really a beautiful garden.

15th July

2009-07-16T02:53:00.005+08:00

Today afternoon, we completed the Empowerment of Chod and from tomorrow onwards, we will continue to have Chod practice for 3 days. It seems that everyone has learnt fast and also show lots of interest in the practice.

Day time is pleasant and there is lots of sunshine today. Now in the evening, it is starting to be windy and it is also getting cold.

12th July

2009-07-13T04:32:00.008+08:00

Today is 12th July 2009. In the afternoon programme for giving Bodhisattva vow, around 40 people received this vow. Following that was Chenrezig Empowerment.

The weather seems almost similar to the winter time in Nepal. It is comfortable and feels fresh. I am not able to write longer blogs these days but just short notes and post pictures of some flowers. The interesting thing here is that the sun sets around 10 pm and it gets dark at 11 pm which we can't see it in Asia.

After the programme we took a group photo with those who are still at the shrine hall.

My days at Denmark

2009-07-10T01:01:00.005+08:00

The newspaper cutting from today's local newspaper.

These days I am giving teaching on the notes that were written by the first Shangpa Rinpoche. There were also many other activities throughout the day. We had a wonderful day today, we held the Rabne Puja for the new Buddha statue.

While at Denmark

2009-07-06T05:28:00.004+08:00

While at Denmark, members of the centre and I visited the Rogby centre to see HH Karmapa. HH is giving Milarepa initiation there and the attendance of the initiation is more than 1600. People from Denmark as well many other European countries came there to receive empowerment.

It took 5 hours to drive there and we managed to come back on same day after the empowerment. We reached our centre after midnight at 1 am.

Towards Denmark

2009-07-03T03:43:00.009+08:00

Karma Wangchuk Ling,

Korsholmvej 178, Vesterboelle9631 Gedsted

Denmark

Last night, the flight took off at 1 AM from Singapore and after 12:45 hours, it safely landed at Copenhagen at 7:40 AM local time. Claus, his Son Malik and friends were waiting at airport and the drive to reach the centre was 4 hours. The centre is located at the countryside which has a beautiful landscape. There are so many wild flowers along the road which makes the environment very pleasant.

having tea with members.

Towards Denmark

2009-07-01T02:07:00.005+08:00

For the last few days, I wanted to write a short article but somehow I was not able to write because of people visiting me and some appointments I had to keep. I am also preparing to go to Denmark for about three weeks for some Dharma activities.

I will update more details after my arrival there.

Flower from Muktinath.

2009-06-27T15:42:00.008+08:00

Dear Readers

For the past few weeks while I was in Nepal, I was not able to write any articles due to the uncertainty of getting Internet connection and because there were power failures frequently. Sometimes it was also because of laziness. My trip was wonderful as I also managed to go to Muktinath for a while. More photos taken at Nepal, I will upload soon. The photo are mostly wild flowers at Mustang. If you know any of the names of the flowers in english, please let me know by leaving a comment. Now I am back in Singapore and preparing to go to Denmark for teaching programme. The centre in Denmark has this programme :

Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche will give Buddha Dharma in Denmark.

8th July to 10th July Rolling and filling The Buddha Statue with mantras.

11th and 12th July Buddha initiation, Chenrezig initiation and Bodhisattva vows

13th to 18th July Machig Labdron initiation , lectures, and practice on CHOD

19th and 20th July Dorje Sempa initiation, lung for Ngondro, Karma Pakshi initiation and lung for Mahakala.

The link with details is here: http://www.buddhisme.nu/uk/ukindex.htm

At the end of Nyungne Retreat

2009-06-09T03:31:00.003+08:00

At the end of Nyungne retreat, people from Tashi Palkhiel and Gurung people from Pokhara receiving Amitabha initiation from me. Date: 8-June-2009.

Poor Internet Connection

2009-06-06T02:02:00.005+08:00

Dear Readers,

Right now, many of you must be thinking why I did not update my blog. I too wish to update it often, but the Internet connection here is very poor. I am using my mobile phone to connect to the Internet, which is super slow and also not stable. I am currently at Pokhara, in Jangchub Choeling monastery and busy giving some teachings to the people who are in the fasting retreat. The Tibetan Vesak Day (Saga Dawa), which marks Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana, is coming soon, so I will be busy with the programme.

There are about 200 people doing Nyungne (fasting) retreat here right now. There are Nepalese and Tibetans, and also our Lamas. The actual full moon day is on the 7th. During that day, everyone at our monastery will be chanting a Kagyu Gurtso for whole day.

I am trying to gather my early life story from my mother and she seems to remember a lot. I will continue my life story soon. Please be patient.

Happy Saga Dawa.

I found my mother Tara.

2009-05-28T22:52:00.010+08:00

Today I went to the shop that sells Thangka art and the moment I saw the white Tara thangka there, I was so happy, as if I found my mother Tara, whom I have been looking for, for so long. I received Tara’s empowerment and instructions for practice when I was very young from an old Rinpoche, and since then I try to practice daily. White Tara practice is for longevity as well as for wisdom, just like the practice of Buddha Amitayus. I just felt very happy and wished to share this with you.

After my return to Nepal, everything seems the same and not much has changed. I have just read my earlier blog and felt it was very long. I wonder if readers need some time to read it. Anyway, some readers thanked me for the advice but I think there is nothing special about what I wrote. Most of these advice are not new to Buddhist practitioners but they definitely play a role of reminding one to reflect on oneself.

We humans are funny sometimes. We just think that whatever we think is right, then insist that it is right, but we do not reflect on how inaccurate our thoughts are. Actually, most of the time, whatever we think is right in the morning, turns out to be wrong in the afternoon or evening. Our mind which is controlled by emotions finds it hard to perceive truth but is like an inaccurate fortune teller’s prediction most of the time. What we stubbornly insist on as correct is only because we think it as correct or just referred by any senior or elderly people say so. Most of the time what we think is correct may actually be far from the correct or truth.

At the very beginning, our emotional mind cannot see the truth of what actual it is and therefore we should not feel so arrogant and be against the thoughts and views of others. We should learn to respect everyone’s views and try to keep ourselves free from the tie of emotional concepts.

I have seen some people who act very proud and try to present that as a good quality and do not think that it is a defect. Actually, having a humble and simple life is the most comfortable type of life where one does not have to face much problems like people with a lot of pride. In the past, masters say that pride is just like a bowl turned upside down, which is unable to contain any substance. So we should improve ourselves in this aspect. People often think and even have told me that if we are humble, people will take advantage of us. If we are not truly developing humility in our way of life but only act as if we are humble, then you may think and also feel this way. Otherwise, true development is more about the training of the mind. We do not need to purposely show others that we are humble and simple. If our humility is not very noticeable to others, we do not need to worry about others taking advantage of us.

The qualities we develop are actually like software we are trying to adapt to, not just merely for trying to do something special for a certain time. Just like computers or some device that when upgraded, the software or firmware we have works better but that does not mean the software has totally changed or device outlook body need to be change its shape. Likewise, we need to upgrade our minds and point it towards the Buddhist way. This is more important than trying to act like a Buddhist. We all have very beautiful qualities which inherently exist. These are loving kindness and compassion. We do not need to search to find them. They are already with us but we just need to expand them to reach everyone. The reason for me to say this is that even ferocious animals like tigers and lions also have such qualities but concentrate them very narrowly towards their closest ones. In the same way, humans definitely have such qualities in varying degrees, some show them more than others, but all have such qualities.

This point can be expanded in many ways. Due to Buddha’s compassion towards us, many methods of practice has been taught. One particular key point is the development of selflessness. Loving kindness and compassion helps the development of selflessness become easier. Ego clinging can be the main obstacle to our practice. It makes our attachment to the self more solid and strong so that weak and temporal practice cannot break through it.

Mindfulness is another very important factor as we often forget about mindfulness and awareness of what our mindset is or should be at present moment. We just simply wonder about all complicated matters unknowingly. This is just like surfing the web aimlessly without a proper destination to reach, following countless of links and becoming confused about where we started from or what is the intended purpose. So surfing today’s world wide web is very similar to how our discursive thoughts work. Also talking about the web, I remember that one of the teachings say that if we tie ourselves up completely and try to move to get out within the conceptual ego state of mind, the more we struggle, the more we become tied up. Just like flies trapped in a spider's web; once they try to free themselves by moving their legs. The more they struggle, the more they are tied up. Finally, they struggle to death. So similarly, to seek happiness, we try tens and thousands of methods but we end up suffering physically and mentally. Finally we still cannot escape Samsara and continue to suffer endlessly.

Hope you will not fall asleep while reading halfway. I will write more thoughts later and till then Sayonara.